Agartala, 14th October 2026 : Despite repeated police warnings against forced Durga Puja subscriptions, allegations of assault and extortion have surfaced against members of the Puja committee of Darogabari Chetana Sangha Club in Sekerkote. A driver has alleged that he was assaulted and Rs 11,000 was forcibly taken from him, triggering protests among fellow drivers.
According to the complaint, Chandan Das, a resident of Gajaria under AD Nagar, was travelling along the Agartala-Sabroom road on Wednesday morning when a group of youths allegedly intercepted his vehicle and demanded Rs 10,000 as a Durga Puja subscription. When he expressed his inability to pay the amount, the youths allegedly assaulted him and took away Rs 11,000 and his mobile phone.
Das claimed that although his vehicle and mobile phone were subsequently returned, the money was not. He later received preliminary medical treatment at Hapania Medical College Hospital before approaching Amtali Police Station and lodging a written complaint against the alleged perpetrators.
The complainant said police had assured him of a proper investigation and necessary legal action.
The incident has triggered concern among drivers who regularly use the Agartala-Sabroom road. Das, accompanied by other drivers, has appealed to the police administration and the Chief Minister to take immediate action against those involved. They have also demanded the cancellation of this year’s Durga Puja celebrations organised by the club.
Allegations of drivers being harassed, assaulted and forced to pay money in the name of Puja subscriptions have surfaced in different parts of the state despite warnings of strict action by the police administration.
However, the statement of the Darogabari Chetana Sangha Club Puja committee was not available at the time of filing this report. The allegations remain unverified, and the facts of the incident are expected to emerge through a police investigation.
