TELIAMURA / AGARTALA: Serious allegations of harassment, administrative misconduct, and workplace mistreatment have surfaced against Senior Information and Cultural Affairs Officer Dulal Debbarma at the Teliamura Sub-Divisional Office of Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA), Khowai district.
The allegations were brought forward by Bhojana Biswas, a Cultural Assistant posted at the Teliamura office, who accused the senior official of systematically subjecting her to mental harassment and stripping her of basic workplace infrastructure.
Core Allegations Raised by Bhojana Biswas
- Workplace Harassment & Refusal of Joining Letter: According to Biswas, she faced persistent mental pressure and humiliation ever since Dulal Debbarma took charge of the Teliamura office. After being forced to take medical leave due to stress, staff members allegedly refused to accept her official re-joining letter upon her return under the verbal instructions of the senior officer. She was subsequently forced to submit her joining paperwork directly at the Directorate of Information & Cultural Affairs in Agartala.
- Denial of Basic Office Amenities: Upon returning to the office on Tuesday, Biswas discovered that her designated table and chair had been removed from her workstation by Group-D staff, reportedly under Debbarma’s orders. Left with no alternate furniture, she was allegedly forced to sit on the floor to perform her official duties.
- Side-lining in Independence Day Event Management: Biswas further alleged administrative bias regarding the Teliamura Sub-Divisional Independence Day celebrations. Despite holding the official designation of Cultural Assistant, she claimed she was stripped of event management responsibilities. Instead, Tina Debnath, a Folk Artist posted under the Khowai ICA office, was brought in to anchor and manage the program without visible written administrative authorization.
Demands for Neutral Investigation
The incident has sparked widespread concern among local administrative circles regarding workplace safety, dignity, and employee rights for women in government service:
- Calls for Administrative Inquiry: Local observers and civic representatives have urged the Directorate of Information & Cultural Affairs to initiate an immediate, impartial inquiry by reviewing departmental records and examining statements from both the complainant and the accused officer.
- Focus on Workplace Safety: Calls have been made to take strict administrative action if the allegations are validated, or to issue an official clarification if the claims are substantiated as unfounded, ensuring a safe and dignified environment for female public servants.
Note: The allegations presented are based on claims made by the complainant. Official responses or statements from the accused officer and higher departmental authorities are currently awaited.
