Senior Tripura CPI(M) leader repents describing IPS officer as 'idiot'

Agartala, Jul 16 (PTI) Tripura's leader of the opposition Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday expressed regret calling an IPS officer an "idiot" following an attack on CPI(M) workers allegedly by "goons of the ruling BJP" in South Tripura district a day ago. Chaudhury made the statement hours after the Tripura chapter of the All India Services Association demanded an apology from him for passing derogatory remarks about South Tripura district Superintendent of Police Mourya Krishna. The CPI(M) leader claimed his Wednesday's remark was made on the spur of the moment as party workers were attacked by BJP's goons "in the presence of policemen" at the event for which they had permission from the authorities. “We had organised a programme to observe the second death anniversary of comrade Badal Shil who was killed by BJP goons at Chottakhola when he was returning home after submitting his nomination paper for Zilla Parishad elections in 2024," Chaudhury said. "Despite having permission from the police authority, the BJP's miscreants attacked our leaders and workers in the presence of police personnel to derail our programme,” he told reporters. The opposition leader claimed that he tried to contact the South Tripura SP three times from the spot, but the calls remained unattended. However, he said he could talk to DGP Anurag Dhankar. "I was angry after the attack on our workers in the presence of police personnel and an executive magistrate. On the spur of the moment, I described the SP as an idiot. I should not have uttered that word,” he said. In a statement, the All India Services Association's Tripura Chapter condemned the derogatory remarks made by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) against the SP. The association demanded that Chaudhury withdraw the comment and issue an unconditional public apology, besides appealing to all public representatives, regardless of political affiliation, to maintain civility and mutual respect. PTI PS NN