Internet suspended, prohibitory orders imposed in Tripura’s Kumarghat after communal clashes

Guwahati : Huge contingent of security forces were rushed and Prohibitory orders were imposed in Kumarghat subdivision of Tripura’s Unakoti district on Saturday after clashes broke out between two communities.

The clashes broke out over the collection of subscription for a local fair, leaving at least five to six people injured and a few houses gutted.

Internet services have also been suspended across the Kumarghat Sub-Division for 48 hours as a precautionary measure, while at least eight persons were detained in connection with the incident.


In a letter to the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police (SP), Unakoti district, requested the shutdown of all internet services, stating that a sudden and serious law-and-order situation erupted in the Fatikroy police station area following communal violence.

“The shutdown of all internet services has been necessitated as a precautionary measure to control the law-and-order situation by restricting the spread of false propaganda and messages,” the SP said in the letter.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kumarghat imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to prevent further escalation of tension and maintain law and order.

Tension escalated after a minority family in the Shimultala area allegedly refused to contribute, following which an unruly mob gathered and set fire to properties, including a timber shop, and vandalised a place of worship.

Acting Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai, accompanied by District Magistrate Tamal Majumder and other senior officials, rushed to the affected areas with additional forces and reviewed the security arrangements.

Rai said tension erupted earlier in the day when some individuals allegedly set fire to areas outside a few houses. “Police forces were immediately rushed to the spot, and the crowd was dispersed. Considering the situation, the SDM promulgated Section 163 and a large number of security personnel have been deployed. Flag marches will continue, though the situation is currently under control,” he said.

Police and paramilitary forces conducted flag marches even as tension prevailed in some pockets of the area. The situation remains under close surveillance, and authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumours.