Tripura police arrested Youth Congress leader Shahjan Islam on Monday after he had been avoiding authorities for nearly six months. Officers took him into custody in the Joypur area near Agartala following intelligence reports about his whereabouts.
Police said Shahjan Islam faced two separate cases filed in 2025. One case involves allegedly making offensive remarks against Chief Minister Manik Saha during a live Facebook broadcast. The second case concerns derogatory comments targeting a BJP Minority Morcha leader.
Soon after the cases were registered, Islam went into hiding and stayed out of the state. Officials said his prolonged absence made the investigation difficult. Authorities finally tracked him down and detained him without incident. He is expected to be presented before a local court to allow police remand for questioning.
Earlier, Shahjan Islam’s father, Khairul Islam, and brother, Nazrul Islam, were also arrested in connection with the same cases. Both were later granted bail, but Shahjan remained on the run. Police said the cases involve multiple sections of law and are being treated seriously.
The arrests have drawn criticism from opposition leaders in Tripura. Some claim the cases are politically motivated and allege that law enforcement has disproportionately targeted Youth Congress members for their public remarks.
Police declined to comment on the content of the remarks or the details of the investigation. They confirmed that Shahjan Islam is cooperating and that officers are continuing to gather evidence to proceed with the case. Authorities said public order and adherence to the law remain their priority during the ongoing investigation.
