Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday provided detailed information in the state Assembly regarding the cases registered against former Chief Minister and senior opposition leader Manik Sarkar in connection with his remarks related to the ‘militant’ movement.
Responding to a question during the Question Hour, Chief Minister Dr Saha clarified the government’s position on the matter and said that necessary action had been taken in accordance with the law in connection with the cases registered against the former Chief Minister over various remarks concerning the militant movement.
The Chief Minister also informed the Assembly about the nature of the cases, their registration at the concerned police stations and the progress of the investigations.
The issue has meanwhile triggered fresh political discussions in the state. While the opposition has raised questions over the cases, the government maintained that political identity is not taken into consideration in matters concerning law and order and legal proceedings. According to the government, investigations and subsequent action have been initiated on the basis of the allegations and in accordance with the law.
Chief Minister Dr Saha further said that maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state remains one of the government’s key priorities. If any statement or activity is perceived to have the potential to affect the law-and-order situation, the administration will take action as per the law, he said.
The Chief Minister’s statement in the Assembly has sparked renewed discussion in political circles. The present status of the cases against former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the further course of the investigations are likely to remain a subject of political debate in the coming days.