Villagers claim arson, loot after Tripura mantri’s visit

Kalikapur ( Tripura), Oct. 20: The 300- odd people of West Tripura district, who had fled the area after their homes were torched and looted over the alleged molestation of a girl, said Saturday that they were scared to return.

They alleged that the looting and ransacking of their houses in Lalit Bazar locality under Ranirbazar police station area began following instigation of revenue minister and prominent tribal leader N. C. Debbarma, who had gone there Friday.

Mr Debbarma, president of the Indigenous People’s Front Tripura ( IPFT), declined to comment on the charge.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC was promulgated in the area for 48 hours from 8 am Saturday, sub- divisional magistrate Subhasish Bandopaddhyaya said.

Mr Bandopaddhyaya, who is camping in the area, said that at least four houses were set ablaze on Friday and many others ransacked and looted. Officials have started recording the losses, he said.

There was no problem after the initial confrontation on Thursday over the alleged molestation. But a group of tribal youths started torching and looting houses only after the minister’s visit, said the people who had fled and are now sheltered in a school near their village.

“N. C. Debbarma visited the spot at 9 am and looting of our houses started around an hour later. He had instigated the tribal youths,” said a 50- year- old villager.

— PTI