Agartala, March 13, 2026: The death of a 65-year-old man while in police custody in Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district has triggered widespread controversy, with family members alleging police brutality.

The deceased, identified as Monir Mia, was a resident of Ward No. 3 of Deorachhara ADC Village under Gournagar Block in Kailashahar. He reportedly worked as a daily wage labourer. According to sources, a court had recently issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him for allegedly failing to provide maintenance to his former wife following their divorce.

Acting on the warrant, police from Kailashahar Police Station arrested Monir Mia from his residence around 2:00 AM on Thursday night and brought him to the police station.

Family members have alleged that several police personnel were in an intoxicated state during the arrest and behaved inappropriately with both Monir Mia and his family. They claimed that he was woken from sleep, forced out of his house, and assaulted while being taken in a police vehicle.

According to the family, around 3:00 AM the police informed them that Monir Mia had suddenly fallen ill and had been taken to Unakoti District Hospital. When relatives reached the hospital early in the morning, they were informed that he had died.

Hospital sources said Monir Mia was brought to the hospital at around 3:15 AM and later died at approximately 4:40 AM while undergoing treatment.

Following the news of his death, a large number of residents from the Deorachhara area gathered at the hospital premises and protested, leading to a tense situation. Police and personnel of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR), led by Kailashahar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tapas Malakar, were deployed at the hospital to maintain law and order.

When contacted, OC Tapas Malakar said he could not comment on the matter without prior permission from higher authorities.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s family has announced that they will file a written complaint with the Superintendent of Police of Unakoti district, alleging that Monir Mia died due to torture and assault by police personnel.

Police sources said the body will be handed over to the family after completion of the post-mortem examination. Tension continues to prevail in the area following the incident.