Feb 08, 2017: More than 50 people were injured in today’s All Tripura Indigenous Regional Parties Forum (ATIRPF) sponsored dawn to dusk strike as clashes broke out in different parts of the State between angry locals and Bandh supporters. To bring situation under control, Section 144 clamped at Gandachchera sub-division. Around 1200 picketers were arrested.
Road transportation along the Assam-Agartala national highway (NH 44) and simultaneously train services in the State come to halt due to 12-hour dawn to dusk strike called by ATIRPF today in Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Shops, Markets, Government offices and Schools remain closed since morning in most of the areas under TTAADC.
As per available reports, Section 144 has been imposed in Gandachhera area as violence between pro- and anti-Bandh supporters took ugly turn. It is learnt that Bandh supporters attacked a school in Gandachhera and both the teachers and school children were allegedly beaten up. Sources said, Bandh supporters also vandalized shops and smashed shop owners in Gandachchera Subdivision. Pushed to the corner, locals fought back and clashes between local people and bandh supporters intensified. Taking no further chances, local administration imposed Section 144. Sources alleged, violence also broke out in Sonaichari under Sabroom Sub-division in South Tripura after Bandh supporters ransacked and attacked several shops.
The bandh was called by the Indigenous Forum protesting against the Central Government’s move to bring amendment in the Citizenship Act aiming at proving citizenship to the Hindu migrants. Interestingly, the Bandh was called opposing BJP led Central Government’s move. However, Tripura BJP opposed the Bandh call only through Press releases. On the other hand, Leaders of the Forum kept on criticizing the ruling Left Front Govt in Tripura. Alleged peculiar attitude of BJP and Forum leaders have raised many eye brows and people – both the tribal and non-tribal people – have become suspicious about real objective behind the Bandh, opined one Jayesh Noatia explaining reasons behind people’s belonging to tribal as well as non-tribal communities’ all out resistance against Bandh supporters.
Since morning, Bandh supporters started gathering at market places in Chaumanu, Chailengta Dhumchher and other areas of Longtharai sub-division of the district. Sources said, bandh supporters had spread a fear-psychosis in the locality the people. “Both the non-tribal and tribal people abstained from moving out of their residences fearing violence may be erupted” said one tribal shop owners in Chaumanu on condition of anonymity.
Police sources said Bandh supporters vandalized a few shops at Machli Market in Dhalai district. At Machli and Manughat, business communities, consisting of mostly tribal people, came out in unison and prevented the Bandh supporters from indulging in violence. Resisted by common people, bandh supporters left the place.
Highly placed officials admitted that stray incidents of violence have also hit some areas in North and Dhalai districts. Police said total situation, however, was brought under control immediately.
