Agartala, 30th September 2026 : The Tripura Government Teachers’ Association (HGB Road) has approached the Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC), seeking action and punishment against police personnel allegedly involved in the use of force against TET-qualified job aspirants during a protest in Agartala on September 24.
A four-member delegation of the association, led by its General Secretary Ashish Chowdhury, met THRC Chairperson Justice Arindam Lodh and submitted a memorandum seeking an inquiry into the incident and action against the police officers concerned.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chowdhury alleged that 1,856 candidates who qualified in the 2024 TET-I and TET-II examinations conducted by the Teachers’ Recruitment Board, Tripura (TRBT), were holding a peaceful sit-in outside the School Education Department demanding publication of the recommended candidates’ list and their collective recruitment.
He alleged that police used water cannons and lathi-charge to disperse the protesters and that male police personnel manhandled women candidates. “No citizen can accept the use of force against a democratic protest,” he said, alleging that some candidates were dragged into police vehicles despite not attempting to flee or engage in any confrontation.
The association cited vacancies in the teaching sector as another concern. Chowdhury claimed that around 12,000 teaching posts are vacant across the State and referred to UDISE+ data indicating that hundreds of schools are functioning with a single teacher. He also said the TET-qualified candidates had been awaiting recruitment for around two years.
Referring to Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, Chowdhury said citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. He also referred to provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, while questioning the alleged use of excessive force during the protest.
The delegation said the association had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Director General of Police and written to the Prime Minister seeking intervention. Chowdhury said the organisation was also prepared to approach the Tripura High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) if necessary.
According to Chowdhury, the THRC Chairperson heard the delegation and assured them that appropriate action would be considered within the Commission’s procedures.
“We will continue our struggle until action is taken against the police officers who used force against members of the teaching community,” he said.
