Several security personnel including police and Assam Rifles troopers reportedly suffered injuries after Ganja cultivators resorted to violence and stone pelting during an anti-narcotic drive in Baramura forest area under Kalamchoura police station.  

“The incident occurred at an interior pocket of the North Kalamchoura,” SDPO Sonamura Sashi Mohan Debbarma told Tripura Times.

Local sources, however, said that the clashes between the security personnel and locals escalated to a level that blank rounds were fired to disperse the enraged mobs resisting the drive. In order to prevent the destruction drive, stones and brickbats were pelted on the cops and police.

“No one suffered serious injuries, but some of the troopers got hit by the brickbats and stones. The exact number of injured persons is yet to be ascertained,” Debbarma added.

Meanwhile, sources in the Assam Rifles informed reporters that none of the Assam Rifle soldiers had been injured in the attacks.

Later, the security personnel carried out the destruction drive. “Those who had gathered to prevent the drive had been dispersed and later the drive was conducted. We have taken a specific case in connection with the incident,” he added. 

Meanwhile, our local correspondent adds: As many as four Assam Rifles personnel of the 35 Assam Rifles and two police personnel were injured in the clash.

According to local sources, clashes broke out between the security personnel and a section of villagers during the drive. Stones were allegedly hurled at the forces, leaving four Assam Rifles personnel, including a driver, injured. The injured sustained head and chest injuries and were provided treatment at Bishalgarh hospital.

Sources further said that the Assam Rifles soldiers fired several rounds to bring the situation under control, however no bullet injuries were reported.

Allegations also surfaced that five local youths were assaulted in separate incidents in North Kalamchoura market and adjoining areas after the operation. One of the injured was reportedly a secondary examination candidate. They were given primary treatment at a local health centre.

Following the incident, villagers staged a road blockade on the Sonamura–Boxanagar road at North Kalamchoura around 1 pm, leading to traffic disruption for over three hours and causing inconvenience to commuters, office-goers and patients.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shashi Mohan Debbarma reached the spot at around 4.30 pm and assured a fair inquiry, after which the blockade was withdrawn.