Around 300 people have fled after a clash between two communities over alleged molestation of a tribal girl
Agartala
Around 60 families have fled and at least one house was torched in a clash between two communities in West Tripura district over alleged molestation of a tribal girl, the police said on Friday. However the four alleged molesters were arrested, they said.
According to the police, the girl, along with her boyfriend, had come to Ranirbazar area on Thursday from a nearby locality to see Durga idols there and four youths allegedly molested her and snatched her mobile phone. “The two (girl, boy) went back to their locality and then returned with a large group of people who tried to attack the houses of those who reportedly molested the girl,” sub-divisional police officer B.B. Das said.
“The situation, however, could not be controlled immediately. The raiders attempted to burn houses and succeed to torch four house. Following this, around 300 members of 60 families fled. About 100 of them are now camping near the Ranirbazar police station,” the SDPO said.
After the incident, panic gripped Ranirbazar, which is around 15 km from Agartala, the SDPO said.
The clash continued on Friday and, on receipt of the information, state minister and Indigenous People’s Front Tripura (IPFT) leader NC Debbarma rushed to the spot to pacify the situation.
The district administration provided them food.
Mr Das said a large contingent of police led by district Superintendent of Police Ajit Pratap Singh is camping in the area and the situation is now under control.
Leader of the opposition Manik Sarkar spoke to Chief Secretary LK Gupta and urged him to tighten the security of the panic stricken people, besides providing them food and shelter, Opposition CPI(M) spokesman Pabitra Kar said.
