Tension escalated in North Tripura's Dharmanagar after the assault on the father of an ABVP student leader triggered widespread protests, political confrontation and fresh incidents of violence, prompting the police to step up security in the town.
Sources said that the controversy began after a protest against Barnali Goswami, former Chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Women (TCW) and wife of local MLA Jahar Chakraborty. The student organization ABVP alleged that Goswami had attempted to exert influence over the NSS and NCC units of Dharmanagar Government Degree College. During her visit to the college on September 22, ABVP activists staged a demonstration and raised "go back" slogans against her.
The organization alleged that later that night, Siddhartha Deb, the father of ABVP student leader Rajtanu Deb, was allegedly abducted from his residence and brutally assaulted by unidentified miscreants, leaving him with fractured hands. He is currently undergoing treatment at GBP Hospital in Agartala. A written complaint has reportedly been lodged with Dharmanagar Police Station.
Demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible, ABVP activists staged a road blockade outside the District Magistrate's office on Thursday and burnt an effigy of Barnali Goswami while raising slogans against her. During the protest, one female student reportedly fell ill and was shifted to hospital with the assistance of the Fire and Emergency Services.
Addressing the gathering, ABVP State Joint Secretary Rupak Sen accused Barnali Goswami of being the "mastermind" behind the attack and warned the administration to arrest the accused within 12 hours, failing which the organization would launch a larger agitation. The protesters also criticized the police, alleging inaction in the case.
The blockade was withdrawn at around 3:15 PM after Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dharmanagar police station, Meena Debbarma and other senior officials held discussions with the demonstrators and assured them that a fair investigation would be conducted and strict legal action taken against those found guilty.
It may be recalled here that, the unrest spread further on Wednesday as clashes reportedly broke out inside the BJP district office between rival groups. Two persons identified as Munna Paul and Mihir Kanti Deb, said to be close associates of MLA Jahar Chakraborty and named by ABVP as key accused in the assault case, were allegedly attacked during the confrontation. They were rescued by police and CRPF personnel and admitted to the district hospital before being discharged later.
Later the same night, unidentified miscreants allegedly vandalized Munna Paul's residence at Bhagyapur village. A large police contingent rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control and deployed security personnel to prevent any further violence.
On Thursday morning, MLA Jahar Chakraborty visited the damaged house and appealed for peace through a video message on social media. He urged residents, particularly senior citizens, to help maintain communal harmony and alleged that certain anti-social elements were trying to tarnish Dharmanagar's image by creating unrest. The MLA assured the public that the state government would ensure law and order and appealed to people not to panic.
The series of incidents—including the assault on the student leader's father, clashes within the ruling party's district office and the subsequent attack on the residence of the MLA's associate—has heightened political tensions in Dharmanagar, with residents now awaiting further action by the administration following the ABVP's ultimatum.