Despite stern warnings from the police administration against coercive collection of Durga Puja donations, allegations of extortion have surfaced once again in Tripura. Members of the Puja committee of Darogabari Chetana Sangha Club in Sekerkote have been accused of assaulting a vehicle driver and snatching Rs 11,000 from him. The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday morning, triggering tension in the area.
According to the complaint, Chandan Das, a resident of the Gajaria area under AD Nagar, was travelling along the Agartala–Sabroom road on Wednesday morning when a group of youths allegedly stopped his vehicle near Darogabari Chetana Sangha Club in Sekerkote. The youths reportedly demanded ₹10,000 from him as a Durga Puja donation.
When Das expressed his inability to pay such a large amount, the youths allegedly assaulted him. He further claimed that ₹11,000 in cash and his mobile phone were snatched from him during the incident.
Das alleged that although his vehicle and mobile phone were subsequently returned, the cash had not been recovered. Following the incident, he went to Hapania Medical College and Hospital, where he received preliminary treatment for his injuries. He later approached Amtali Police Station and lodged a written complaint against members of the club's Puja committee.
According to the complainant, police have assured him that the matter would be investigated and appropriate legal action would be taken.
Notably, complaints of harassment, physical assault and the alleged forcible collection of money from vehicle drivers in the name of Durga Puja donations have surfaced from various parts of the state in the past. The latest allegation has once again raised concerns over the enforcement of police warnings against such practices.
The incident reportedly spread fear among drivers who regularly travel along the Agartala–Sabroom road. Chandan Das and other drivers have appealed to the police administration and Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha to intervene and ensure swift action against those responsible.
The aggrieved drivers have demanded prompt legal action against the accused and have also called for the cancellation of this year's Durga Puja celebrations organised by the concerned Chetana Sangha Club.
However, the response of the club's Puja committee to the allegations is yet to be ascertained. The veracity of the claims and the circumstances surrounding the incident will be established through the police investigation.
