Unrest at Unakoti: Dr Manik Saha Issues Caution Against Politicising Saydarpar violence
Dharmanagar, Jan 11: Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha urged political parties to refrain from making unnecessary remarks on sensitive issues.
Responding to questions from the media in Dharmanagar today on Saydarpar (also referred as Shimultala) violence in Unakoti on Saturday, the Chief Minister reiterated that law and order would be maintained at all costs.
Dr Saha asserted the situation in Saydarpar was being closely monitored and that the police had acted swiftly to bring the situation under control.
A Quick Re-cap of the Incident
According to preliminary information, the unrest reportedly stemmed from a dispute over kirtan donations, following which a group of miscreants allegedly launched attacks on members of the minority community.
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During the violence, several houses and vehicles were set ablaze, creating panic in the locality.
Soon after the incident, police swung into action. Led by Unakoti district Superintendent of Police Abhinash Rai, multiple raids were conducted, leading to the arrest of several accused persons.
Police Action and Administrative Measures
The Chief Minister made it clear that the police were performing their duties responsibly and that no one involved in the violence would be spared.
He said instructions had already been issued to ensure strict vigilance in the area so that no further untoward incidents occur.
He also directed the concerned local MLAs and ministers to visit the affected area, interact with residents, and assess the ground situation to restore confidence among the people.
Opposition Allegations and CM’s Counter
The violence has already triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, with CPIM Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Choudhury and Congress MLA Birjit Sinha accusing the ruling BJP of failing to maintain law and order.
Rejecting the Opposition leaders’ allegations, the Chief Minister hit back and said that similar or even more serious incidents had taken place during the CPIM regime. He cited incidents in Mandai and Khowai, and also recalled that a CPIM minister had been brutally murdered during CPIM-led Left tenure.
Dr. Saha questioned the opposition’s role during those times and said selective political outrage would not help in resolving sensitive issues.
Appeal to Avoid Political Provocation
The Chief Minister stressed that incidents involving communal or social tension should not be politicised. “Unnecessary political comments should be avoided in such matters,” he said, reiterating that maintaining peace and harmony was the priority of the state government.
Other Engagements in Dharmanagar
After concluding the ADC election campaign in Kanchanpur, the Chief Minister stayed overnight in Dharmanagar. On Sunday morning, he visited the Dharmanagar oil depot and later left for Churaibari, where he inspected vehicles allegedly carrying stone loads beyond permissible limits.
He also paid a condolence visit to the residence of late Tripura Legislative Assembly Speaker Bishwabandhu Sen and later attended an organisational meeting at the Dharmanagar district BJP office, after which he addressed the media.
Government’s Stand
Reiterating the government’s stance, Dr. Manik Saha said peace would be ensured through strict enforcement of the law, timely police action, and continuous monitoring.
He assured that the administration would remain alert to prevent any recurrence of violence in Saydarpar or elsewhere in the state.