In a shocking incident that unfolded late on Sunday night, the chairman of the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC), Colonel (retd) Kush Kumar Sharma, was detained by police in Agartala. The retired army officer was allegedly involved in creating a major disturbance and interfering with on-duty police officers at a city hotel hosting the prestigious 2nd Tripura Diaspora Summit.
The Night of the Confrontation
The episode occurred around 11 pm on Sunday at the hotel venue as Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury was preparing to depart after attending the summit. According to police reports, the trouble began when a vehicle belonging to Colonel Sharma's driver was parked at the hotel entrance, blocking the path for the minister's official convoy.
When the minister's driver requested that the vehicle be moved to clear the passage, the plea was reportedly refused. This refusal sparked an initial argument. In an attempt to defuse the situation, Minister Chowdhury himself intervened. However, the TPSC chairman, allegedly in an inebriated state, questioned the minister's identity and proceeded to verbally abuse him.
Escalation and Family Involvement
The situation rapidly deteriorated from a verbal spat into a physical altercation. Police stated that Colonel Sharma's son, who was found to be half-dressed at the scene, joined in and allegedly used foul language not only against the minister but also against the people of Tripura in general.
The confrontation turned physical when Colonel Sharma and his son got into a scuffle with the minister's security personnel. In a further escalation, two more cars allegedly belonging to the chairman's family were used to block the hotel exit, temporarily trapping the minister's convoy at the entrance.
Senior police officials, including IGP (Intelligence) Krishnendu Chakarabarty, SP (West) Namit Pathak, and OC (West Agartala PS) Rana Chatterjee, were compelled to rush to the spot. This was after Colonel Sharma, along with his wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, and son, allegedly threatened the police with dire consequences.
Detention and Release
Following the chaotic scene, Colonel Kush Kumar Sharma was taken into custody by the Agartala police. He was released in the early hours of Monday morning on a personal bond after undergoing necessary medical checks.
The incident has cast a shadow over the Tripura Diaspora Summit, an event aimed at connecting with the state's global community. The involvement of the head of the state's premier recruiting body in such a public order offence is expected to have significant repercussions.
