Guwahati/New Delhi
The death of a 19-year-old college student, who sustained serious injuries in a clash between two groups at Ganda Twisa in Dhalai district on July 7, sparked the violence.
Crowds went into a rampage, burned homes and looted shops at Ganda Twisa, around 110 km from Agartala, after the tribal youth Parameshwar Reang, succumbed to his injuries sustained in an assault by a group of people from another community on the day of the Rath Yatra on July 7.
Internet was subsequently snapped, prohibitory orders were imposed and a huge contingent of security forces was deployed even as four people have been arrested in connection with the assault.
Sources said Reang, accompanied by his friends, had visited the Ganda Twisa market to attend a fair organised on the occasion of Rath Yatra.
Dhalai SP Avinash Rai told media persons that Reang sustained severe injuries in a clash that erupted suddenly between two groups of youths. “Initially admitted to Ganda Twisa hospital, he was later transferred to GBP hospital as his condition worsened. He succumbed to his injuries on Friday,” the SP informed.
“After his body was brought back to Ganda Twisa, emotions ran high and some houses and shops were vandalised in anger. We have arrested four persons in connection with the murder. Prohibitory orders have been enforced with heightened police presence to prevent further escalation,” the SP added.
The Ganda Twisa SDM also organised a peace meeting, Rai said, adding that the situation is currently under control.
While Tipra Motha leader Pradyot Debbarma “condemned” the youth’s murder and called for “justice”, former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar discussed the situation with Chief Minister Manik Saha and requested him to take appropriate measures to control the situation.
