Tripura Guv urged to take action against Chakma leader for violating civil law

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 22, 2024

A group of tribal leaders on Monday urged the Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu to take appropriate actions against Shanti Bikash Chakma, a head clerk of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) who serves as the state secretary of the Tripura Rejyo Chakma Samajik Parishad (TRCSP), for repeatedly violating the Tripura Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1988 and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.

The tribal leaders stated that Shanti Bikash Chakma solemnized second marriage while having a spouse living in violation of Rule 21 of the Tripura Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1988 on restriction regarding marriage, joined the TRCSP whose acts are prejudicial to “public order” by the Tripura High Court in its judgments concerning filed by Tarun Chakma and Purnamoy Chakma in violations of Rule 6, and regularly organizes press conferences and publishes interviews despite being a government servant in violations of Rule 8 relating to connection with the press or radio.

“Even under the Chakma customary laws drafted by the TRCSP, second marriage with a spouse living is prohibited. The Tripura Rejyo Chakma Samajik Parishad regularly conducts trial of other Chakmas for violations of the so-called customary laws and the general secretary of the TSCSP himself ought to face inquiry for violations of the government rule on restrictions on second marriage,” said Dil Kumar Chakma, one of the signatories of the memorandum.

The memorandum alleged that trials by social courts in Tripura are becoming a menace in Tripura and creating problems for governance. 

“A head clerk of the TTAADC i.e. Shanti Bikash Chakma can presently conduct trials of the IAS officers from the community including the secretary to the Tripura government for violations of the so-called customary laws. Whether the government officers can conduct trials and pass orders which have to be challenged before the High Court ought to be examined by the state government for proper governance,” he questioned. 

“The trials in social courts by junior officials create fear among senior officials as these trials can bring shame in public and proceedings can further be inferred in various proceedings. Tripura Governor has been urged to direct the state government to issue a gazette notification stating that no public servant of the Tripura government and the TTAADC government shall serve as a member of community organizations that conduct trials under customary laws and take strict action against any officer who conducts such trials,” said Thaithak Reang, another signatory to the memorandum.

The tribal leaders also alleged that Shanti Bikash Chakma visited Bangladesh in July 2022 and “met with CHT writers, poets and social activists of Khagrachari and Rangamati at Village Restaurant, Chittagong”. 

The Tripura Governor was urged to investigate whether it is the task of a head clerk of the TTAADC to make such representation to NGOs in a foreign country, whether prior authorisation from the state government and whether prior permission has been taken from the Central government for accepting foreign hospitality as required under the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act. 

“These are serious matters concerning governance in the state where 35% of the population are tribals and follow different customs. If the state government does not take appropriate measures, we will approach the Tripura High Court. In a country governed by the rule of law, anarchy in the name of customary law shall not be permitted to run amok,” said Sanjit Debbarma, one of the signatories of the memorandum.