In a significant development, the West Agartala police have successfully apprehended Youth Congress leader Shahjan Islam, ending his six-month-long evasion from the authorities. The arrest took place on Monday in the Joypur area, which is situated close to the sensitive India-Bangladesh border.
Evasion Ends at the Border
According to police officials, Shahjan Islam had been a fugitive since an FIR was filed against him in June last year. The case stemmed from allegations that he made derogatory and communally charged remarks about Tripura's Chief Minister, Manik Saha, during a Facebook Live session. Soon after the legal complaint was registered, Islam reportedly fled across the international border to Bangladesh. He returned to Tripura only on Sunday night, setting the stage for his capture based on specific intelligence inputs received by the police.
Legal Proceedings and Multiple Complaints
Following his arrest, Shahjan Islam was promptly produced before a local court. The police have requested a four-day remand to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The controversy is not limited to a single complaint. Initially, an FIR was lodged by a leader of the BJP Yuva Morcha. Subsequently, Billal Miah, a leader from the BJP's Minority Morcha, filed another FIR accusing Islam of making offensive remarks targeting him personally.
Known for his fiery oratory and vocal stance, Shahjan Islam had remained untraceable for months. Police sources indicated that he was planning to surrender before the court to avoid being arrested, but the law enforcement agencies moved in first based on the intelligence they had gathered.
Political Repercussions in Tripura
This arrest highlights the ongoing political tensions in the state of Tripura. The case, which dates back to mid-2023, has now reached a critical juncture with the accused in custody. The police's emphasis on the communal overtones of the alleged remarks adds a further layer of sensitivity to the incident. As the investigation proceeds under police remand, the political circles in Agartala and beyond are keenly watching the legal outcomes and their potential impact on the state's political discourse.
