Agartala, January 12 – Following an improvement in the situation in Kumarghat, a violence-affected area in Tripura’s Unakoti district, the district administration lifted the suspension of internet and mobile data services on Monday. Additionally, restrictions imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC, known as BNSS, have been eased, now applying only to sensitive areas.
A senior police officer reported that 11 individuals from both communities have been arrested in connection with a conflict that occurred on January 10 over fundraising for a local fair. Although the atmosphere in Kumarghat, which has a mixed population, remained tense, it was largely peaceful overall.
District Magistrate Tamal Majumdar stated that the internet and mobile data services, which were suspended on Saturday due to violence, were restored on Monday. To prevent further escalation of tension and maintain law and order throughout the Kumarghat sub-division, the restrictions were confined to the Fatikray police station area.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also oversees the Home Ministry, emphasized at a government event that anyone taking the law into their own hands would not be spared.
On Monday, a delegation from the Communist Party of India (CPI) visited the affected area to assess the situation. However, they were reportedly blocked by the police when they attempted to engage with affected minority families, leading to a exchange of accusations.
According to police, the unrest began on Saturday when a group of youths stopped a vehicle loaded with wood in the Fatikray police station area to solicit donations for a community fair. Tensions escalated after a minority family in the Shimultala area allegedly refused to contribute, leading to an unruly crowd gathering, which set fire to several homes, vehicles, and other properties, including a wood shop, and vandalized a place of worship.
As news of the incident spread in the mixed-population area, the situation quickly deteriorated. Acting Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai, District Magistrate Tamal Majumdar, and other senior officials reviewed security arrangements with additional forces deployed to the affected areas. A police officer reported that district administration officials are conducting a detailed assessment of the damage.
A significant contingent of Assam Rifles, Tripura State Rifles (TSR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and state police personnel have been deployed in the affected regions.
Unakoti District’s Additional Superintendent of Police Rupam Chakma informed the media that security forces, under the leadership of senior officials, are conducting regular patrols and closely monitoring the situation. No new incidents have been reported since Saturday night.
He added that strict action would be taken against those spreading rumors or disseminating fake images and videos. Authorities are maintaining close surveillance on the situation and have appealed to the public to uphold peace and refrain from spreading rumors.