Youth arrested in Melaghar dispute amid rising tensions
Sonamura, Sep 04, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk
Sonamura, Sept 4: Tensions escalated in Melaghar after a violent clash between two factions involved in a negotiation trade dispute on Monday night. The police arrested a youth named Bijay Nama based on a complaint filed by the wife of the victim and the Chairperson of Melaghar Municipal Council, Anamika Ghosh. The Chairperson filed a detailed complaint at the police station, naming five individuals—Santu Barman (Jantu), Kalipad Barman, Bijay Nama, Lakhan Bhowmik, and Uttam Pal—as being involved in the incident.
Initially, police had detained two other suspects, Ruman Dutta and Biplab Debnath on Tuesday but they were released the same night after further investigation revealed no involvement in the incident. On Tuesday, ruling party supporters from the Melaghar Municipal Council protested outside the police station, demanding the arrest of those responsible for the violence. But ironically the following day, more protests erupted, this time demanding the release of Bijay Nama and others mentioned in the complaint, asserting their innocence.
Police presented Nama before the Sonamura court, where he was remanded to custody. The incident has sparked widespread disruption, with roadblocks in the area causing substantial inconvenience to the public. Locals are calling for stricter enforcement, including the imposition of Section 144, to prevent further unrest.