UPDATE: Officials of the North district rushed to the relief camp at Manikbando in Assam on Thursday where people of Chorei community of Damchhera area took shelter after a violent clash with Bru people in July 26 last. Meanwhile, MLA of Patharkandi area, Krishnendu Pal, also went to meet the relief camp inmates and extended help.
Amidst a series of political developments in the Capital, several families of the local Chorei community of Damchhera under North Tripura were forced to flee away and take refuse at Pathakandi area in Karimganj due to ongoing tension between the local inhabitants and Bru refugees.
On July 26 last, a violent clash between the locals of Phaikhuo village, especially Chorei people and Bru refugees Cascou camp of Damcheera broke out over land dispute. At least 13 people were injured, several houses were gutted and Police had to resort to blank firing to bring the situation under control. Even as there is no report further violence, tension and panic among local Chorei community are palpable.
|Also Read : Tripura News: YMA Group condemns Bru Reangs for attack on Chorei people |
According to the locals, even before the clash broke out, Bru people used to destroy the crops, domesticated animals and properties of the local people. And, after the clash tension is running so high that Chorei people started leaving their native place and taking refuge in camps at Pathakandi area.
Available reports suggest that around 1000 people of Chorei community. Many of them took shelter in different villages under Balipipla Gram Panchayat of Loyierpoa block including in a makeshift relief camp in a school at Manikbanda.
Speaking to the media, panic-stricken Chorei people narrated their plight inflicted by the Bru refugees. According to them, the life, livelihood and dwellings of Chorei people are at stake due to the aggression and violence of Bru refugees. For the last couple of days, the Chorei people were fleeing during nights to safe places in neighouring Patharkandi and other areas.
According to local sources, the administration and the local people of neighbouring Pathakandi have also extended a helping hand to the helpless Chorei people. It is learnt adequate supply of drinking water and their ration materials to the camp have been arranged by the government. In view of Corona pandemic, the administration also arranged Covid test facilities for incoming Chorei people.
An official of Pathakandi, Arpita Datta Majumder and OC of Bazarichhara PS Manoranjan Sinha continued to visit the Chorei people sheltered in a temporary camp at Manikbanda. Also, officials of the Tripura Government are also inquiring about the displaced Chorei people.
(With inputs from Paritosh Pal. He may be contacted at paritoshpaul8@gmail.com)
