Even as the Tripura Government has ordered an inquiry into the reported assaults on two varsity students by the Traffic personnel on January 13 last, the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) – an organization of the indigenous students of Tripura – has called a 12-hour strike in State on Monday protesting against purported assault.

 

The decision of the Bandh came up one day after the State Government ordered a probe into the incident. The accused Traffic Personnel has been removed from the field duty till the inquiry is over.  

 

The Bandh will start from 5am on Monday and will continue till 5pm, said chairperson of TSF Advisory Board Upendra Debbarma.

 

Meanwhile, TIPRA Motha – the ruling party in the TTAADC – has extended support to the Bandh called by the TSF.

 

Upendra Debbarma pointed out Milk vans, Ambulances, electricity, wedding and other essential services shall remain out of the purview of the Bandh.

 

Flanked by the President and General secretary of the party, Debbarma told the media that the Bandh had been called demanding an action against the traffic personnel who had reportedly assaulted and tortured the two University students – Angel Reang and Abhijit Debbarma.

 

Narrating the January 13 incident, Upendra Debbarma said, “on their way back from the University, the vehicle of Angel and Abhijit broke down near the Circuit House. Soon, traffic police swung into action and picked them up along with the vehicle. The traffic police took them to the Traffic Bhawan and thrashed them”.

 

Debbarma continued and alleged, traffic personnel also hurled racial abuses.  

 

He termed the incident as a serious issue for the student community of the State and alleged the assaulted students lodged a Police complaint ‘which has been practically not registered, so far’.

 

Condemning the alleged incident, Debbarma said, the attack on the two students is a violation of ST Atrocities Act and the accused traffic personnel should be punished as well as be terminated from the job.

 

“The administration and the State Government have failed to take up steps against the accused traffic cop even as students of the State were vehemently condemning the incident and demanding actions against the erring cop. This is a failure of the Government as innocent students have come under attacks by traffic personnel”, Debbarma said and urged the peace loving people to support the bandh.