Agartala, February 04, 2025: The investigation into the looting of Burmese cigarettes worth ₹40 lakh and the firing incident in Chamtila under Panisagar police station on January 28 has seemingly stalled, raising serious concerns among the residents of North District. While looters roam freely, the public remains gripped by fear questioning the inefficiency of the security apparatus.
Despite multiple incidents of organized looting in the district, the higher authorities of the Home department remain silent. “How can such a massive robbery take place without the involvement of insiders?” asked a local businessman adding, “If this continues, where the people will go for justice?” Allegations have surfaced that certain employees of the Home department, despite their prestigious Presidential Colour recognition were directly involved in the crime.
Sources informed that three police personnel from the North district’s Superintendent of Police office—Constable Shibu Datta, Constable Pranab Sinha and Constable Dhiraj Nath were allegedly involved in the robbery. Besides them, names of known smugglers such as Apu Das of Nayapara, Sudip Das from Ramnagar (a former cow smuggler) and Pathik Nath Chowdhury of Natun Bazar have also emerged.
This gang is suspected of being involved in multiple robberies across the district, including a similar heist on Damcherra-Panisagar Road in Bangshul just a few days before the Chamtila incident. Locals allege that this network of criminals, operating under the nose of the Home department is emboldened due to a lack of stringent action.
A senior official of Home department in condition of anonymity stated that the stolen cigarettes were swiftly transported to Bangladesh via the Sabroom border. Reports indicate that the contraband was smuggled using a white Scorpio with an Assam registration number owned by an individual suspected to be directly linked to the robbery. The original owner of the goods is reportedly a Tripura resident from Damcherra who had brought the cigarettes from Mizoram with the intention of smuggling them across the border. However, the loot allegedly occurred after the dealer refused to pay a commission to notorious smuggler Sudip Das.
A close source revealed, “Sudip Das is well-known for his role in the illegal trade of Burmese cigarettes and narcotics. His network runs deep and this robbery was executed because the rightful owner refused to comply with his commission demands.”
Residents are now questioning the North district’s Superintendent of Police about the alleged involvement of his own personnel. “On whose orders did Shibu Datta, Pranab Sinha and Dhiraj Nath execute this robbery with firearms?” asked an agitated local leader. “Did they have valid permission to carry weapons that night? If not, who will hold them accountable?”
Adding to the outrage, sources claim that the looters also carried out a fatal attack on the driver of the smuggled consignment. The victim, who is currently receiving treatment outside the state is reportedly improving and is expected to recover in the coming days.
With similar robberies reported in Bangshul, Chamtila and now Haflong on Dharmanagar road in Kailashahar, citizens are calling the situation a complete failure of the district’s law and order system. “How many more robberies need to happen before action is taken?” a worried resident questioned.
The silence from the Home department and higher authorities has only intensified public anger. With the criminals roaming freely and no significant breakthroughs in the investigation, the people of North District are left wondering—will justice ever be served, or is the system compromised beyond repair?
