A vehicle boarding a newlywed bride and groom had been stopped and vandalized allegedly by the picketers of Tripura People’s Front (TPF) during its 12 hour strike at Hejamara under West Tripura district on Wednesday. The newlywed couple was on their way to Khowai from Mohanpur Bijoynagar. Later on, all of them took shelter at Sidhai police station.
The dawn to dusk strike called by TPF evoked less than expected response as shops and markets remained open in many place. However, vehicles remained off the road and train services were affected due to the bandh. In many areas, the response was good and shops remained closed since the morning.
Tripura People’s Front, a political outfit called the strike to raise its voice against the killing of fire-fighter Biswajit Debbarma who was lynched by a frenzied mob during violence Panisagar under North Tripura in connection with the anti-Bru resettlement movement spearheaded by Joint Movement Committee (JMC) few days ago. The killing sparked massive condemnation across the State.
TPF leaders called the strike alleging police inaction in case of the investigation of Biswajit Debbarma’s death. The party demanded strict action against those who were involved in lynching of Debbarma. TPF also demanded strict police action against the JMC leaders as to whom they held responsible for the whole violence.
Sources said, picketers in huge numbers gathered in the national highway and other important roads in order to press for their demands. Slogans demanding arrest of JMC leaders were also heard.
AIG law and order Subrata Chakraborty said, “As per police reports, picketing held by the Bandh supporterson in altogether 28 to 29 places. Police, TSR and central forces had been deployed in adequate number in areas that were recognized as sensitive”. A press release from the police later added that 150 supporters of TPF were detained and later released at Kanchanpur.