Opposition leader demands SIT probe into Shimultala violence, compensation to all affected families

The Leader of the Opposition of Tripura and CPI (M) state secretary, Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a senior police officer to probe the January 10 communal violence in Shimultala area of Unakoti district and ensure justice to all affected families with stringent punishment to all miscreants, who were involved in the large-scale violence   on the religious minorities.

Prohibitory orders were imposed and a huge contingent of security forces deployed in Kumarghat subdivision of Tripura’s Unakoti district on January 10th last after clashes broke out between two communities over the collection of subscription for a local fair, leaving at least five to six people injured and a few houses gutted.

Internet services had also been suspended across the Kumarghat Sub-Division for 48 hours as a precautionary measure, while at least eight persons were detained in connection with the incident after a sudden and serious law-and-order situation erupted in the Fatikroy police station area following communal violence.

According to senior officials, trouble began when a group of youths stopped a timber-laden vehicle at Saidarpar under Fatikroy police station limits and demanded a subscription for a community fair.

The violence erupted at Shimultala under Fatikroy police station limits following a clash between two groups over the collection of subscriptions for a local festival. Around 15 families were affected in the incident, and at least six people sustained injuries.

While, addressing a press conference at CPI(M) headquarters in Agartala on Thursday afternoon, opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury said he had met Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha and urged him to take immediate steps to restore normalcy in the area.  He demanded the formation of an SIT under a senior police officer so that the perpetrators are booked and exemplary punishment is ensured.

The CPI(M) leader also demanded the setting up of a temporary police camp at Shimultala village under Fatikroy police station , alleging that fear had forced many youths to flee their homes and when, a team of opposition party on Wednesday visited the affected areas, they found only children, women and some old persons area living in their destroyed homes.

He said that all victim families should be provided financial assistance to help them resume their livelihoods, as their sources of income such as tractors, trucks and two-wheelers were burnt into ashes during the violence.

He further alleged that the police had arrested innocent youths in connection with the incident and demanded their immediate release.

Chaudhury also criticized Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and local MLA and Minister Sudhangshu Das for not visiting the affected families despite being in the region. He alleged that while the violence was unfolding, the Chief Minister was attending programmes in neighbouring areas but did not visit Shimultala or meet the affected families later.