Tension gripped several areas of Ganda Twisa sub-division in Tripura’s Dhalai district, 112 km from Agartala, on Friday evening, following the death of a tribal youth. A few shops were gutted and houses were damaged, leading to the imposition of prohibitory orders and suspension of mobile internet services for 24 hours, following which a large police contingent was deployed to ensure that tensions did not escalate.
Speaking to indianexpress.com, Dhalai District Magistrate Saju Waheed said that the situation is under control now and peace meetings are being held to ensure that law and order is maintained.
“There was some altercation between two local boys five days ago in which one of the boys got injured. The injured boy passed away at a hospital in Agartala yesterday and after that, there was tension in the area. We imposed Section 144 [Section 163 under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)] in Ganda Twisa sub-division for 2-3 days starting yesterday and held peace meetings,” Waheed added.
“There is no further incident of tension in the area. Everything is under control. We have also opened shelter houses for families whose shops or houses were damaged. Peace meeting is being held today as well,” he said.
Speaking to indianexpress.com, a senior Tripura police official said that the youngster Parameshwar Reang was from the indigenous Reang community and was injured in the aftermath of a clash that originated at a local fair called ‘Anondo Mela’ at Ganda Twisa five days ago.
“He passed away while he was under treatment at GBP Hospital in Agartala on Friday. After his body reached his residence in Dhalai district, there was some tension in some pockets of Ganda Twisa,” the official added.
Reang’s body was taken to Ganda Twisa Friday evening amid tension between different communities. The Dhalai district superintendent of police also visited the area late Friday night.
Sources said some locals had engaged in brick pelting at the police when the latter tried to reach out to them and contain the situation.
The Tripura Police took to social media to say, “An untoward incident has occurred which resulted in death of one person, the incident is being used by some anti-social elements to stoke hatred and commit offenses such as arson and looting, it is to inform all citizens of Tripura that all senior officers along with sufficient security forces are camping and patrolling in Ganda Twisa and situation is under control.”
The police further said that the assembly of more than five people in and around the Ganda Twisa sub-division has been prohibited. “Kindly refrain from posting, sharing, expressing any communal sentiments as it will amount to an offense under BNS and IT Act, any deviation will be strictly dealt with,” the police added.
The administration suspended mobile internet services in Dhalai district for 24 hours from Friday midnight to stop rumour-mongering. In a notification, Tripura Home Secretary PK Chakraborty said the decision was taken as “SMS and WhatsApp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are likely to be used for the transmission of fake information like picture, images, videos and text that have the potential to incite violence in that case at a larger rate….”.
To prevent the misuse of the above-mentioned media to disturb the peace and tranquility of the entire state and to maintain the law and order situation, the notification said that the prohibition would be applicable to press messages as well. Violation of these orders will be punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and under relevant provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, the notification added.
Meanwhile, Tripura’s ruling alliance partner TIPRA Motha party founder and royal scion-turned-politician Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Saturday appealed for peace and said the government would take strict action on his death. “I condemn the murder of Parmeshwar Reang in Gandatwisa. I have personally spoken to the highest police authority and demanded that the culprits be charged under relevant IPC. Also appeal for peace and restraint, will personally go and meet the family. We demand justice!” Pradyot said in a post on X.
In an audio message late Friday evening, he once again appealed to people in Ganda Twisa to remain calm. “I have spoken with DGP and he has assured he will take strictest action against whoever killed Parameshwar Reang. Such action will be taken that people will think twice before hurting anyone,” he said. Pradyot also said he would visit Ganda Twisa soon, meet the affected family, help them, and ensure justice.
State president of the ruling BJP Rajib Bhattacharya termed the incident “tragic”. “I have had a word with our local leaders last night. The Chief Minister is keeping a watch. Additional forces were sent to ensure peace. A team of ministers and party leaders will visit the area soon. The administration has asked local authorities to ensure law and order and provide compensation to those affected,” Bhattacharya said.
Opposition CPI(M) state secretary and Tripura Opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhary said the incident was “saddening and unfortunate” and said BJP and ally TIPRA Motha were liable and cannot deny responsibility.
Chaudhury alleged that despite the purported crisis of food and work in villages, the local administration keeps allowing local fairs like the ‘Anondo Mela’ and these continue for days at a stretch in different parts of the state. He said that the situation went out of control and despite having police personnel on the ground, the administration failed to contain the situation.
Chaudhury also demanded that a government job be given to the family of the deceased along with special compensation for everyone affected in the incident. The instant compensation provided by the disaster management authorities or local administration will not be enough, he added.
Former chief minister Manik Sarkar spoke with Chief Minister Manik Saha and took stock of the situation, Chaudhury added.
The Gandacherra sub-division in Dhalai district was rechristened to Kokborok and named Ganda Twisa a few years ago to grant legitimacy to the indigenous language.
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma today visited Ganda Twisa and met the family of deceased Parameshwar Reang and announced a compensation of Rs. 1,00,000.
“Paid my last tribute to Late Parmeshwar Reang at his residence in Gandatwisa. I have assured his family that I will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the culprits get punished and justice is done. From our end, the family will be given a compensation of ₹1,00,000. I have also spoken to the DGP, Tripura Police, and he has assured me that they will take all necessary steps so that justice is done. I appeal everyone to maintain peace and restraint,” Debbarma said.
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma today visited Ganda Twisa and met the family of deceased Parameshwar Reang and announced a compensation of Rs. 1,00,000.
“Paid my last tribute to Late Parmeshwar Reang at his residence in Gand Twisa. I have assured his family that I will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the culprits get punished and justice is done. From our end, the family will be given a compensation of ₹1,00,000. I have also spoken to the DGP, Tripura Police, and he has assured me that they will take all necessary steps so that justice is done. I appeal everyone to maintain peace and restraint,” Debbarma said.