Agartala, Feb 11: In a significant move highlighting the importance of accountability, North Tripura District Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai dismissed three police constables—Constable No. 15047 Shibu Datta, Constable No. 14287 Dhiraj Nath, and Constable No. 14235 Pranab Kumar Singh—for negligence of duty and violation of departmental rules. The action was taken under sub-clause (a) of Clause 10 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, following an investigation into the alleged mishandling of seized contraband.
The incident that sparked the inquiry took place on January 29, when a Bolero pickup truck carrying 105 cartons of illegal Burmese cigarettes was intercepted at the Chamtila area in Panisagar. The seizure, made around 5 AM, was part of a routine anti-narcotics operation. However, the contraband was reportedly not deposited at the police station, raising suspicions of misconduct.
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The matter came to light after media outlets reported the incident, prompting the North Tripura District police administration to launch a thorough investigation. The three constables, who were attached to the District Police Superintendent’s office and often deployed in civilian attire for anti-narcotics operations, were allegedly implicated in the case. Their dismissal is seen as a direct consequence of their suspected involvement.
As per the dismissal order, the three constables are required to remain stationed at the Sadar Headquarters Police Lines in Haflong, Dharmanagar during the enforcement period. They must adhere strictly to police regulations, participate in daily roll calls, and are barred from leaving the headquarters without explicit permission from the District Police Superintendent. They will, however, continue to receive subsistence allowances as entitled during this period.
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Meanwhile, local intellectuals emphasized that despite the gravity of the action District Police Superintendent Avinash Rai has not publicly commented on the matter or held a press conference to address the dismissal. This silence has fueled discussions about transparency and accountability within the police force, with many calling for stricter oversight to prevent such lapses in the future.