1 dead, many injured after clashes over Durga Puja subscription in North Tripura; prohibitory orders clamped until Oct 9

According to a senior police officer, the body was found after the violence and they are yet to find out how the person died. The North Tripura district police said they are taking appropriate action to ensure peace in the area.

“Situation in kadamtala is completely under control. Police is taking appropriate action. Please don’t spread rumour. #Kadamtala #NorthTripura @Tripura_Police,” the North Tripura district police wrote on their X handle on Monday.

The police registered two cases and detained eight people in connection with these cases till the latest reports came in.

The police said restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were clamped in the area and urged everyone to comply with this order, avoid gatherings, and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified information. The local administration said the prohibitory measures would stay in place in areas under the jurisdiction of the Kadamtala Police Station in Dharmanagar of North Tripura until Wednesday, October 9.

According to local sources, a few residents clashed with people who declined to pay the Durga Puja subscription. Many were injured in a subsequent counter-violence when a group of people attacked those who had previously assaulted members of their community. As the clashes intensified, a large contingent of the Tripura Police and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) was soon deployed at the spot.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Manik Saha told media persons in Agartala that his government is doing everything possible to ensure normalcy and peace in Kadamtala.

“The situation is under control there till now anyway. We assure you to take all necessary steps to ensure peace,” he added.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman trained guns at the chief minister. “They (police) are not allowed to work freely. After tying their hands and feet, the police are asked to maintain law and order. I shall not blame them. Those who direct them are to blame. Shops of a community were looted in the presence of the police. How are people supposed to keep faith in the police? The chief minister, who is also the home minister, is responsible for this. He has to admit that he is a complete failure,” he said.

Roy Barman alleged some shops belonging to minorities were ransacked, and pressure was created on them to pay a high amount of subscription. He also alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched by certain quarters to start a riot in the state and cited a series of recent incidents that happened at Gandacherra, Durganagar, and Kadamtala.

“…They tried it at Gandatwisa, proved to be a failure, tried the same in Koitorabari, Durganagar, and Mandwai and also failed… now in Kadamtala… I hope the wise and peace-loving people will foil the attempt and protest against this,” he said.

State Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha said, “There has been an environment of fear across the state. We have been telling the police administration, CM, and other officials concerned that there is a conspiracy going on in the state, inciting tribals and non-tribals and sometimes between two communities to fight each other to gain political interest. I shall appeal to all sections of people to maintain peace.”

Jitendra Chaudhary, Opposition leader and CPI(M) state secretary, blamed two cabinet ministers – Sudhangshu Das and Tinku Roy – for inciting people through social media posts.

“I want to appeal to the CM and BJP state president with folded hands to make your members shut up. You (BJP) are in the government. You need to teach patience… On the contrary, you can’t… disturb peace. People wouldn’t forgive this,” he said.

“These incidents didn’t happen all of a sudden. These are the results of 6.5 years of misrule. Their (government) failure in every sector, their anti-people activities have led to these,” Chaudhury added.

BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya said there has been an “attempt to create an environment of unrest” in Tripura. “The state government is looking into the matter and strict action will be taken… Those who are directly or indirectly involved, legal action will be taken against them after identifying them,” Bhattacharya added.