Agartala, Oct 18:
A government-authorized survey to investigate the alleged encroachment of the MBB College Lake and its adjoining areas in Agartala has stirred controversy following conflicting statements between officials and local activists.
The survey was carried out by a team comprising the Deputy Collector & Magistrate (DCM), Revenue Inspector (RI), Surveyor, and Tehsildar, acting under a memorandum jointly issued by the Tripura Revenue Department and the Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC). The directive, fully sanctioned by the Government of Tripura, was aimed at assessing reported encroachments around the historic water body.
Copies of the memorandum were duly forwarded to key authorities, including the Secretary of THRC, the District Magistrate & Collector, West Tripura, the Director of Higher Education, and the Principal of MBB College. The document also instructed that the complainants in Case No. 98/2025 be informed at least three days in advance and remain present during the survey.
Accordingly, the survey took place on October 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM, in the presence of complainants Nikhil Debnath and Jayanta Bhattacharjee, representing the organization “পরিবেশ ও জলাশয় সংরক্ষণ মঞ্চ” (Environment and Wetland Protection Forum), along with their advocate. Several media houses also covered the proceedings to ensure transparency and public accountability.
However, the matter took a controversial turn later in the day when Agartala Smart City Limited (ASCL), led by its CEO Dr. Shailesh Kumar Yadav, IAS, issued a statement on its verified Facebook page claiming that “unknown persons claiming to be from the Tripura Human Rights Commission” had entered the MBB Lake premises without authorization or entry tickets.
The complainants have strongly denied the allegations, asserting that the entire operation was conducted lawfully and transparently under government authorization, and witnessed by both officials and media representatives.
