Agartala, January 1, 2026: Tripura closed 2025 on a turbulent note after a video allegedly showing Sukumar Debbarma, a Village Council Chairman linked to the TIPRA Motha Party (TMP), hurling verbal abuse at Chakma traders in Narkel Kunj spread rapidly across social media. The footage ignited widespread anger, with political leaders, student groups, and ordinary citizens condemning the remarks as racially charged and deeply offensive.
The uproar comes at a time of heightened sensitivity in the state, following the recent killing of Angel Chakma—a case that has already provoked mass protests and demands for accountability. The incident has intensified public frustration, particularly as six individuals, most of them Nepali nationals, have been named as accused in the murder.
BJP MLA Shambhu Lal Chakma joined the chorus of criticism, denouncing Debbarma’s alleged conduct and warning of growing intolerance in the region. His remarks echoed the sentiments of many who see the episode as symptomatic of rising communal tensions.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chakma student organizations held a press conference in Agartala, demanding swift and decisive action. They described the incident as an attack on dignity and communal harmony, urging authorities not to dismiss it as a minor dispute.
By Wednesday evening, a suspension letter bearing the signature of the TMP Block president of 12 Takarjala began circulating online. The document stated that Sukumar Debbarma had been stripped of party responsibilities, though no official confirmation from the TMP president or chief was available at the time of reporting.
As outrage mounted, TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma stepped in with an appeal for unity. In a series of social media posts marking the year’s end, he urged national media to pay greater attention to the Northeast and recognize the patriotism of its people. He lamented that despite the region’s crucial role in safeguarding India’s borders, its communities continue to suffer racial stereotyping and derogatory labelling—issues that, he warned, breed alienation.
Addressing the killing of Angel Chakma, Pradyot Debbarma stressed that the attackers did not act based on tribal or religious identity, yet society remains fractured along ethnic and linguistic lines. He called for solidarity to protect the interests of future generations.
Responding directly to BJP MLA Shambhu Lal Chakma, the TMP chief confirmed that he had instructed party leaders to suspend Sukumar Debbarma. He further urged the MLA to demand the resignation of a police officer accused of downplaying Angel Chakma’s murder and delaying the filing of an FIR for three days. While acknowledging that political disagreements are inevitable, Pradyot Debbarma emphasized that communities in the Northeast must not view each other as adversaries but instead confront the real forces undermining justice and social cohesion.
