india

Updated: Apr 29, 2019 00:02 IST

The Tripura Police on Sunday arrested freelance journalist Saikat Talapatra from Agartala for allegedly spreading rumours about chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb.

Talapatra was arrested two days after police lodged an FIR against one Anupam Paul for allegedly spreading rumours on the social media that Deb’s wife, Niti, had sought divorce. Paul is yet to be arrested.

Assistant police inspector general Subrata Chakraborty said Talpatra was allegedly involved in the same conspiracy. “Talpatra has been arrested in connection with a case of spreading rumours against the chief minister. His involvement was found in a case earlier lodged against Paul, who is accused of defamation, forgery and criminal conspiracy against Deb,” he said.

Jamal Hussein, a security guard of Communist Party of India (Marxist) lawmaker Islamuddin, was separately arrested on Sunday on similar charges.

North Tripura’s police superintendent, Bhanupada Chakraborty, said Hussein was arrested for posting “objectionable” content against Deb on Facebook.

Niti, who returned to the state on Sunday along with Deb, on Friday asked people not to pay attention to “dirty rumours” on her Facebook page.