Day after clashes in North Tripura over Durga Puja subscription, administration says ‘situation under control’

On Tuesday, Debapriya Bardhan, District Magistrate, North Tripura, said restrictions clamped under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita would be effective till the forenoon of Wednesday, October 9. The authorities have also hiked patrolling and deployment of security forces to curb untoward incidents.

Bardhan also said that executive magistrates and videographers have been deployed in the area to identify the miscreants and take action against them. Moreover, internet services in the district remain suspended.

“Peace meetings are going on today (Tuesday) in a few locations. Similar peace meetings were held yesterday to restore normalcy in the district,” said the district magistrate.

He also appealed to citizens to refrain from spreading rumours through social media and warned of strict action in case of non-compliance.

Meanwhile, the government has started to roll out immediate relief assistance to the families affected by the violence.

The local administration has formed a team to survey the damage and to work out the required compensation.

So far, 69 families have been identified as eligible for the compensation. The administration said it was hopeful of completing the assessment in the next two to three days.

“As an interim measure, we are giving Rs 5,000 to the affected families. Nearly 20 families have already received the assistance,” DM Bardhan said.

Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey, who was dispatched by Chief Minister Manik Saha to visit the affected areas and assess the ground situation, said a detailed meeting involving all officials concerned was held so that interim relief can be provided to the affected families.

Reacting to Monday’s violence, the ruling BJP claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to create unrest in Tripura.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman said the chief minister has failed in running the state.

CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhary had blamed two cabinet ministers – Sudhangshu Das and Tinku Roy – for inciting “members of a community through social media posts”.

Reacting to the CPI(M) leader’s allegation, Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das Tuesday termed both Sudip Roy Barman and Jitendra Chaudhary as “anti-Hindus”.