By TC News Desk
Agartala, 7th August 2025: A complaint of molestation aboard a passenger bus on the night of August 05 last has created unrest at Bishramganj.
According to the female passenger’s complaint, she was allegedly molested during her journey. While an investigation was reportedly initiated, chaos took place as the bus reached Bishramganj. Eyewitnesses claim that a group of miscreants boarded the vehicle and brutally assaulted the driver, co-driver and several passengers. The violence quickly escalated, spilling onto the streets where other vehicles were vandalized shockingly in front of police personnel.
Sources alleged that the District Superintendent of Police and the OC of Bishramganj police station failed to intervene effectively. “They were mere spectators, dressed like puppets. The police in khaki did not stand by the common people,” said one local resident who witnessed the incident.
It was only after the arrival of the Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) that the situation was brought under control. The police administration later imposed Section 163 in the area to restore order. However, nearly 48 hours after the incident, no arrests have been made.
In response, transport workers launched a protest yesterday suspending the Sonamura-Agartala passenger bus service. The agitation continued until this morning, when services resumed following assurances from leaders of the transport union.
Representatives from the Sepahijala Bus Jeep Drivers Association, Bus Owners Association, Agartala-Sonamura Bus Syndicate and vehicle owner Gautam Saha visited Bishramganj police station to file four separate cases demanding the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism.
Later that day, a deputation was submitted to District Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma and the OC of Bishramganj police station. Speaking to media personnel here, General Secretary of the Sepahijala Bus Jeep Drivers Association Biplab Majumdar said: “We will wait for 72 hours. Those who were involved in the vandalism must be arrested and brought under the law. If not, we will be forced to take further action.”
Meanwhile, Sukumar Banik was arrested late last night in connection with the molestation of a female passenger aboard a moving bus. The arrest was made by the Sepahijala district administration and the Crime Branch acting on direct orders from the Chief Minister. Sources confirmed that Banik, a resident of the Chandranagar area in Bishalgarh was taken into custody after a coordinated operation. He was initially held at the Bishalgarh Women’s Police Station and later produced before the Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Court this afternoon.
