BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 27th August 2025 : Local residents have raised serious allegations against senior civil defense volunteers in Teliamura accusing them of flouting government regulations by allowing underage participants into an official training program based on personal familiarity rather than eligibility.
According to government guidelines, individuals under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from participating in civil defense training or recruitment. However, reports suggest that several minors were permitted to join the ongoing training program, allegedly facilitated by senior volunteers Vivek Bhattacharjee and Suman Debnath. The duo is accused of enrolling close acquaintances despite their failure to meet the age criteria, while eligible candidates were reportedly excluded due to lack of personal connections.
The training session held at the Teliamura Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office from August 25 to 31 faced backlash after the issue came to light. On August 26, the second day of training, all participants below the age of 18 were abruptly dismissed following public outcry.
The controversy has sparked questions about procedural lapses. Government rules mandate strict verification of age documents for all participants. Locals are now questioning whether these checks were ignored or deliberately bypassed, fueling suspicions of favoritism and administrative negligence.
Experts and concerned citizens warn that training underage volunteers could compromise disaster response efforts. They argue that immature trainees may lack the necessary skills and judgment during emergencies, potentially endangering lives. The recent death of a truck driver named Mihir in Chakmaghat has been cited by some as a possible example of such systemic failure.
