Violence during Tiprasa Civil Society bandh leaves 12 injured in Tripura’s Dhalai district

Guwahati: Tension is running high at Kamalpur sub-division in Tripura’s Dhalai district following the injury of 12 people during the Tiprasa Civil Society (TCS) 24-hour bandh.

Those injured included officials and traders. Activists of TCS resorted to arson, and looting of shops on Thursday evening during the 24-hour statewide shutdown.

Dhalai District Magistrate and Collector Vivek H.B. imposed prohibitory orders for an indefinite period on Thursday night within the Kamalpur sub-division.


Promulgating the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent danger to human life, public property, and peace, the DM’s order barred the assembly of more than four persons, carrying or using weapons or dangerous materials, delivering provocative speeches, sloganeering, or distributing pamphlets inciting hatred.

It also restricted the use of rooftops or premises for pelting stones during riots and banned the entry and movement of vehicles in the prohibited areas.

Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said that strict action would be taken against the perpetrators of Thursday’s violence in Kamalpur sub-division.

Saha visited the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital here to enquire about the health condition of the injured people.

The Chief Minister informed that the attackers, with an intent to kill people, used heavy bamboo sticks, iron rods, and slingshots to assault local traders and officials at Santirbazar in Kamalpur sub-division.

“The attackers also looted various items from the Santirbazar market and even snatched gold chains from women. In the name of agitation, these are all disgraceful acts. I have directed the police to take severe action. We will not succumb to any pressure. You will soon see what action is being taken against the perpetrators,” Saha told the media at the hospital.

The ruling BJP’s ally, Tipra Motha Party (TMP)-affiliated Tiprasa Civil Society (TCS), led by TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma, observed a 24-hour shutdown across Tripura on Thursday in support of its eight-point demands, including the deportation of illegal migrants.

NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that four express trains -- Sabroom (Tripura)–Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express, Charlapalli (Hyderabad)–Agartala Express, Silchar–Agartala Express, and Agartala–Silchar Express along with five other local trains, were short-terminated, controlled, or cancelled on Thursday.

He said that bandh supporters and picketers have blocked railway tracks at several locations in Tripura since Thursday morning, forcing the NFR to take these steps.