A day after West Tripura District Magistrate (DM) Shailesh Kumar Yadav faced criticism for manhandling people including a groom at a wedding hall in Agartala, he has sought apology for his behaviour.
He said that his intention was not to hurt anyone’s sentiment.
“All I did was done during the night curfew period last night and was for the benefit and wellbeing of the people. My intention was not to hurt or humiliate the sentiments of anyone,” Yadav told reporters in Agartala.
In several videos of the incident, that went viral in the social media, the DM was heard hurling abuses at the people present at the wedding party.
Former Tripura CM and CPI-M leader Manik Sarkar has termed the incident as ‘undesired’ and unbecoming of the District Magistrate.
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“What happened is most undesired. It should not have happened,” said Tripura MP and BJP leader Pratima Bhaumick.
Ruling BJP MLAs including Sudip Roy Barman, Ashish Kumar Saha and Sushanta Choudhury have written to Tripura Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar seeking removal of the DM.
Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has asked Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar to submit a report on the events that transpired.
The IAS officer had entered the marriage halls and asked people to vacate the premises immediately for allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions.
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The DM was seen pushing a groom and his relatives and holding other guests by their necks.
The officer, who was accompanied by the police, ordered arrests of people who came to the marriage party.