Tripura witnesses violent incidents; many houses get torched
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Guwahati: Violent incidents occurred in West Tripura on Monday, and rioters set several houses on fire. Communal tensions surged here after miscreants defaced a Kali idol in a temple here, the Deccan Herald reported.
The place where the Kali idol was defaced was just 12 km away from the state capital, Agartala.
Following the idol was found vandalized, a large mob of people stormed into the Durganagar area and set fire to houses belonging to people who they believed to be behind the idol vandalism. The mob also damaged vehicles while security forces were dispatched to the area.
The state is already facing a crisis of unprecedented floods. Floods and landslides have taken at least 24 lives so far. The floods have damaged at least 1.27lakh people’s homes since August 21. However, the flood affected at least 17 lakh people in total.
As a step against further escalations, the West Tripura district imposed restrictions on the movement of more than five people together.
The restriction order issued by the district magistrate of West Tripura, Vihal Kumar, read, "There is an apprehension of breach of peace due to violent activities of a group of people under Jirania subdivision.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha asked the police to take strict action against those breaking the law and order in a bid to prevent further escalations.
On Monday, Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Debbarma expressed concern over the violence and appealed to everyone to maintain law and order.
He wrote on social media, "Last night incident in Ranirbazar Kaiturbari area is a worrying sign with reports of communal clashes. I appeal to everyone to follow the rule of law.”