Violent Clashes Erupt During Tripura Bandh Demanding Deportation of Illegal Migrants

A police officer and an administration official sustained injuries during violent clashes in Dhalai district of Tripura.

Guwahati:

Tensions escalated in Tripura's Dhalai district on Thursday evening when supporters of a 24-hour statewide strike clashed with law enforcement and administration officials. The confrontation resulted in injuries to a police officer and an administration official as they attempted to contain incidents of arson and looting that erupted during the bandh organized by the Tipra Civil Society.

The unrest began when bandh supporters entered Shantirbazar market in the afternoon and started compelling traders to close their establishments. The shopkeepers' resistance led to a heated confrontation between the two groups.

Subsequently, a larger contingent of strike supporters, who exceeded the number of deployed police personnel, stormed the market and allegedly looted multiple shops.

As the situation deteriorated, local merchants organized resistance, which triggered further clashes. The mob reportedly set fire to a vehicle parked within the market premises. When firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze, their service vehicle was also damaged.

During the disturbance, Police Officer Samudra Debbarma sustained a head injury after being struck with a brick. Block Development Officer Abhijit Majumder was also attacked upon arriving at the scene, with his vehicle targeted and resulting in head injuries.

A merchant identified as Biplab Deb suffered a severe eye injury when hit by a brick.

Fire service personnel rescued both the injured BDO and the trader, transporting them to Kamalpur Bimal Sinha Memorial Hospital for medical treatment.

Local residents reported that despite the deployment of additional forces, tension persists in the area.

The 24-hour statewide strike was called to advocate for various demands, including identification and deportation of illegal migrants, complete implementation of the Tiprasa Accord, introduction of an Inner Line Permit system, cancellation of fraudulent Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe certificates, and adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language.

The strike, led by Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma, partially halted daily activities across parts of the state. Heightened security measures were implemented in the state capital Agartala and other major urban centers.