In a disturbing turn of events, a group of unidentified individuals set fire to several houses and vehicles in the Ranirbazar district of West Tripura after an idol was found defaced at a temple. The incident, which took place in the aftermath of devastating floods in the region, has raised tensions and prompted heavy security measures to be put in place.
According to police reports, at least a dozen houses were set ablaze along with a few motorcycles and pick-up vans late on Sunday night. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as residents managed to flee upon seeing the angry mob. The defacement of the Goddess Kali idol in Kaiturbari seemed to have triggered the violent outburst, leading to property damage and destruction.
Assistant Inspector General (Law and Order) Ananta Das confirmed the incident, stating that the police are assessing the extent of property loss and will be filing a suo moto case accordingly. In response to the escalating situation, prohibitory orders have been issued in the Jirania subdivision, including Ranirbazar, prohibiting the assembly of five or more people to prevent further unrest.
The Tipra Motha supremo, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, expressed deep concern over the incident and called for peace and order to be maintained. In a statement on social media, he condemned the communal conflicts and urged authorities to uphold the rule of law in dealing with the perpetrators.
„The occurrence last night in the Ranirbazar Kaiturbari area is a worrying sign with reports of communal conflicts. I appeal to those in charge of maintaining law and order to uphold the rule of law,“ Debbarma wrote on Facebook. „When our state is struggling from a natural disaster and there is so much stress, some elements are only concerned with religious politics. Miscreants, regardless of faith, must face harsh consequences; the law must be neutral to all. I urge Tripura to come together during these trying times rather than fighting one another.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in times of crisis. As the authorities work to restore order and investigate the perpetrators behind the arson, it is crucial for the community to stand united and refrain from engaging in acts of violence or vandalism. Only through collective efforts and a commitment to upholding the rule of law can Tripura overcome these challenges and emerge stronger from this ordeal.