‘Democracy Is Locked In’: Mithun Nath Slams Police Over Protest Detention

Tension prevailed outside the District Sports Association (DSA) in Silchar on Thursday (November 5) as protesters staged a demonstration alleging that several newly elected Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) councillors had contested and won the civic polls using fake educational certificates. The protest took place on the day of the newly elected councillors’ oath-taking ceremony.

The protesters alleged that despite complaints over the authenticity of certificates submitted by some candidates, no action had been taken against the concerned councillors. They demanded accountability and questioned the administration’s response to the allegations.

According to the protesters, they were about to gather near the Tennis Club with plans to take out a peaceful march towards the oath-taking venue. However, police stopped them outside the DSA premises and allegedly detained them inside the complex by locking its gate, preventing them from proceeding with the demonstration.

Addressing the media, protester Mithun Nath alleged that the police had detained the protesters in an unethical manner. He said that their intention was to peacefully protest against candidates who had allegedly contested the elections using duplicate certificates.

“The protesters are not locked in, democracy is locked in,” Nath said, questioning the administration’s decision to restrict their movement.

He further questioned whether the presence of just 15 to 20 protesters could pose such a serious law and order challenge. Nath also asked whether similar protests had previously been held in the area without causing any such situation. He alleged that the government was afraid that its actions would be exposed.

Another protester, Prasanjit Deb, said the gathering was peaceful and questioned the authority under which police had locked the protesters inside the premises. He also alleged that people without proper educational qualifications had become ward councillors and said they had only intended to organise a peaceful march against the alleged irregularities.

Visuals from the spot showed a tense face-off between the protesters and a much larger police contingent outside the DSA premises. While the protesters attempted to push open the locked gate to get out, police personnel were seen holding it back and preventing them from moving out.

The protesters appeared heavily outnumbered by the police personnel deployed at the spot. The visuals captured the confrontation as both sides held their ground, with the protesters trying to force the gate open while the police continued to restrain it.