Fresh tensions erupted in West Tripura district's Jirania on Thursday after the police arrested five persons in connection with the attacks, vandalism and arson of minority houses, properties and vehicles following the defacing of an idol at a Kali temple, an official said.
The police said that several hundred people, including women belonging to the majority community, blocked National Highway-8, the lifeline of Tripura, at Ranirbazar in Jirania subdivision, in protest against the arrest of five persons.
After hours of blockade, senior police officers, including West Tripura District Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar K and Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, who is the local MLA, rushed to the site of protest.
After hectic negotiations, the agitators withdrew the blockade, leading to the normalisations of the movement of several hundred stranded vehicles on the vital National Highway.
The Minister requested the protesters to seek legal recourse to secure the release of the detained youths and also urged them to maintain peace and communal harmony.
The prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), was imposed on the entire Jirania subdivision on August 26 after violence in the area over idol defacing, and extended the prohibitory orders till August 31 with an official saying "there is still an apprehension of breach of peace and tranquility, danger to human life and property, obstruction and injury to persons under Jirania subdivision".
A large contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force, the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and state police have been deployed at Koitorabari and other sensitive places of Jirania subdivision after the "unidentified attackers" set afire at least 16 houses, destroyed properties and burnt several vehicles late on August 25 night, leaving four persons injured in wake of the attacks.
Director General of Police, Intelligence, Anurag Dhankar, West Tripura District Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate Vishal Kumar have several times visited the tension-struck areas, 12 km from here. Senior police officers are also camping in the area.
After the opposition Congress and CPI-M accused the ruling BJP of exploiting communal tensions for political gains over the incident, BJP's Tripura unit General Secretary, Amit Rakshit, urged the opposition parties to refrain from politicising such sensitive issues, especially when the state is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating flood that has affected a large section of the population.
Terror, trade and talk cannot co-exist: PM Modi sends stern message to Pakistan
In a firm declaration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made it clear to the world that terror and diplomacy -- or terror and trade -- cannot co-exist.
Operation Sindoor: Pak begged for peace after India’s devastating strikes, says PM Modi
In the aftermath of India’s unrelenting Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was left reeling from the decisive action taken by the Indian Armed Forces. Pakistan was forced to seek escape route, and it found itself begging for peace after suffering heavy losses in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Nuclear blackmail will not come in the way of anti-terror action: PM Modi
Nuclear blackmail will not come in India's resolve to hit terror at its root in any part of the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, sending a strong message to the global community against the backdrop of ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Satellite evidence: India destroyed 15 terrorist camps, including LeT headquarter
India launched a decisive counter-strike against terrorist camps along the Line of Control in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, eliminating fifteen key sites linked to extremist groups,
Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terror: PM Modi
Highlighting the significance of the operation, PM Modi said: "Operation Sindoor has not ended; it will be a continuing and decisive action against state-sponsored terror attacks on Indian citizens.”
Bangladesh: Yunus government bans former PM Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, its affiliates
The interim government of Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus on Monday issued a gazette notification banning all activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, Awami League and its affiliate organisations.
Not an era of terror just as it's not an era of war: PM Modi
In a special video address to the nation, PM Modi sent a strong warning to Pakistan, saying: “Terror and talk, terror and trade and water and blood cannot flow together. Talks with Pakistan will only be held on terror.”
Success of Operation Sindoor dedicated to Indian women: PM Modi
Calling the Pahalgam terror attack a personal tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated the bravery and courage of the armed forces involved in Operation Sindoor to every mother, sister and daughter of the nation.