Agartala/ Churaibari , Oct 06, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Massive communal tension gripped Kadamtala in North Tripura district on Sunday following an issue over collection of puja subscription which resulted in police firing and lathicharge—with at least one person reportedly being killed and several persons being injured including policeman.

Reports reaching here said situation is seriously unsettling and disturbing.  As the situation turned extremely volatile Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha passed strict orders to police for taking prompt action and bring the culprits and trouble mongers to book.

Two IGPs Carey Mark and GS Rao rushed to the spot while local police officials are camping in the area. Adequate security arrangements were made with deployment of TSR and  there were reports of attacks on houses and shops. Police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the mob but later police had to open blank fires. In the evening, a prohibitory order under section 163 of BNS was imposed and security personnel in adequate numbers have been deployed.

First, there was an allegation against the members of Indian Club that they had misbehaved with a group of minority people, who were travelling in a vehicle, for Durga Puja subscription. The incident sparked off tension in the Kadamtala area.

On Sunday afternoon, Jahar Mia, a resident of Lalcherra’s Ichairpar area under Kadamtala police station, was on his way to Assam with some close relatives for medical treatment. When they reached the Hapitila area near Kadamtala, members of the Indian Club stopped their car and demanded a donation for Durga Puja. Jahar Mia, who was driving, told them that he would contribute on his way back from the hospital. It is alleged that the club members insisted on the donation immediately and assaulted Jahar Mia. As news of the incident spread, thousands of agitated people from the minority community gathered in front of Kadamtala police station and staged a protest. The situation quickly escalated, with the crowd going violent and taking control of the local market, forcing shopkeepers and locals to shut down their businesses. The person, who had been allegedly harassed over the donation issue, filed a formal complaint at the Kadamtala police station.

Based on the complaint, Kadamtala police detained one accused but by that time, a section of the Muslim community ransacked several items which were outside the shops in the local market. 

Besides, several houses and vehicles also came under the attack following which the tension escalated further.

SP North Bhanupada Chakraborty and Addl. SP J. Darlong along with force rushed to the spot. In the meantime, police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Some of the shopkeepers were reportedly injured in the lathi-charge.

Finally, in view of the law and order, a prohibitory order under section 163 of BNS was imposed.  However, till filing the report situation in Kadamatala is seriously unsettling and explosive underneath. 

Massive reinforcement was made and in Agartala Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and DGP (Int) Anurag are monitoring the situation round the clock.