Days after the Tripura Violence, where several Muslim-owned shops and houses, along with a mosque, were allegedly set ablaze on Saturday morning after an altercation over the collection of funds for a local Hindu temple, involving members of right-wing groups, the residents still stand on tenterhooks.
According to the violence-ridden residents, no complaint has yet been made by the police against the perpetrators allegedly belonging to Hindutva activists. Furthermore, as reported by the Maktoob Media, residents alleged that police personnel were present at the scene of violence but failed to effectively contain the situation.
Locals told FoEJ Media that violence was initiated over the collection of pooja donation (chanda) ahead of the Bhairab Mela, which is set to take place later this month.
“The incident began when a group of people approached my father (Masabbir Ali) seeking donations for a local fair. He told them that he did not have the money at the time and would contribute later, as our family had done on previous occasions. However, the men—alleged to be Hindutva activists—insisted on immediate payment, refused to listen to him, and then began assaulting him,” Zakir Ali, son of Masabbir Ali, said while talking to FoEJ Media.
“Our family has always given donations. The last time, we even provided cement and other materials for the temple,” Zakir Ali said.
Masabbir Ali, who sustained injuries to his head and several other parts of his body, remains hospitalized following the incident and could not talk to FoEJ Media.
“After my father was attacked, we rushed him to the hospital. In the meantime, members of the Hindutva group allegedly entered the village armed with sticks and set fire to shops and houses,” Zakir Ali told FoEJ Media.
“Next to our shop was the establishment of a very poor man; his shop and home were set on fire, and his mobile phone was also destroyed in the blaze,” he added.
“The police did not even register a complaint—not even regarding the attack on my father,” Zakir Ali alleged.
Zakir Ali also recounted the horror of the mosque being set on fire, along with copies of the Quran and other items inside it.
“The Hindutva group set the mosque on fire. Everything inside it—including the newly installed tiles—was destroyed, and copies of the Quran were burned,” he added.
Another resident, speaking to FoEJ Media on condition of anonymity due to fears for his safety, described the gravity of the violence.
“They set fire to approximately six houses, burnt Muslim shops, and even set the mosque on fire. They also burnt bikes and a tractor was destroyed,” he said.
Congress Leaders Stopped by Police from Visiting Violence-Hit Area
Congress Legislature Party leader Birajit Sinha alleged that he was prevented from visiting the violence-affected area.
“We were going to meet the affected villagers at Saidarpar after yesterday’s clashes but were prevented by the police, who cited security reasons. I strongly protest this,” he said to reporters.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury slammed the BJP-led government, accusing it of failing to protect the lives and property of people from the minority community and of allowing the situation to spiral out of control despite prior warning signs.
“When Kumarghat was burning, the chief minister was busy leading a roadshow in Kanchanpur in North Tripura. He has not made any statement against the communal violence,” he said.
To maintain law and order, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kumarghat imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, restricting public movement and prohibiting the assembly of people in sensitive areas of the subdivision.
