Politicians, locals and netizens are expressing anger over the actions of Tripura West District Magistrate, Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav, who on Monday ordered the closure of two marriage halls for violating the night curfew order issued under Section 144 of CrPC to contain COVID-19 spread in Agartala city.

On Monday, Yadav entered two marriage halls, Gulab Bagan and Manikya Court in Palace Compound, North Gate area around 11 pm, allegedly after receiving complaints from locals of night curfew violation. People are demanding exemplary punishment for physical assault on the groom, family members and the priest by an officer in high administrative position.

After the raid on Monday, Yadav stated that he will recommend the suspension of the OC of West Agartala police station for not acting on repeated complaints of people.

Late on Monday, West Tripura MP Pratima Bhoumik apologized for the incident as “unwelcome and unexpected”. In her words, the role of the administration in public safety is commendable. A night curfew has been imposed in Tripura between 10 pm to 5 am and all the wedding ceremonies have to be completed by 10 pm.

District magistrate of West Tripura entered the two marriage houses and evicted people and even stopped a marriage. Not only that, he ordered the closure of the halls for a year.

Royal scion Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman, who is also the Chairman of Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) and former President of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and owner of the Manikya Court, said the matter as ‘most unfortunate and regrettable’ and demanded an inquiry into the incident.