Tripura, May 25: In a sensational development that has sparked outrage across Tripura, four police personnel attached to Teliamura Police Station have been arrested and suspended over alleged irregularities in a major Phensedyl seizure case. One of the arrested women police officers reportedly broke down in tears during the court proceedings. All four accused were produced before the Khowai District Court on Monday.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the credibility of the law enforcement system, as the very officers entrusted with upholding the law now stand accused of criminal misconduct.
The arrested officers include Second Officer of Teliamura Police Station Inspector Ajit Debbarma, Sub-Inspector Rajendra Reang, Woman Sub-Inspector Shampa Das, and Special Branch ASI Sachindra Debbarma. According to police sources, the action was initiated by the Crime Branch following directives from Tripura Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar.
Investigators alleged that although a huge quantity of Phensedyl was seized during an anti-narcotics operation, only 518 bottles were officially shown as confiscated in government records. The remaining quantity was allegedly misappropriated and secretly diverted. This led to a covert investigation by the Crime Branch.
Sources involved in the investigation suspect that the accused officers may have had long-standing links with drug traffickers operating in the region. Acting on these suspicions, a special Crime Branch team conducted a late-night operation at Teliamura Police Station on Sunday and arrested the four officers.
The investigation is currently being led by Anti-Narcotics branch DSP Paushadhan Rupini and Inspector Raghulal.
Police sources further revealed that Inspector Ajit Debbarma and SI Rajendra Reang had already been withdrawn from Teliamura Police Station on May 23 and shifted to Khowai Police Lines before being formally arrested and produced in court. Meanwhile, Woman SI Shampa Das and ASI Sachindra Debbarma were arrested by Teliamura Police and later taken for medical examination before their court appearance.
A case has been registered at Teliamura Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 305, 306, 316(5), and 61, along with Section 21(C) of the NDPS Act.
Investigators believe that a larger narcotics network could be operating behind the incident, and the possibility of involvement of additional individuals is also being examined.
The arrests have triggered strong reactions among the public, with many questioning how citizens can place their trust in the system if law enforcement officials themselves are accused of collaborating with the drug trade. The matter has also triggered political reactions, with opposition parties beginning to question the role and accountability of the administration.
So far, Tripura Police has not issued any detailed official statement regarding the case.
The shocking allegations against officers from the otherwise peaceful Teliamura region have created widespread concern, and attention is now focused on the court proceedings, the progress of the investigation, and the administration’s next course of action.
