The brutal murder of two brothers in North Tripura's Dharmanagar during the Durga Puja festivities has triggered widespread outrage across the state, with Tripura Minister Tinku Roy on Thursday visiting the grieving family and assuring them of all possible support while demanding the strictest legal action against those responsible.

Accompanied by three legislators from North Tripura—Binoy Bhushan Das, Jadab Lal Debnath and Jahar Chakraborty—along with BJP district president Kajal Das and party leader Molina Debnath, the minister visited the residence of the deceased brothers at West Dewanpasha under the Yubrajnagar Assembly constituency. He expressed deep condolences to the bereaved parents, who lost both their sons in the shocking incident, and handed over financial assistance of Rs. 20,000 in a sealed envelope.

The victims, Shubhadip Roy Chowdhury (28) and his younger brother Jaydeep Roy Chowdhury (24), were allegedly stabbed to death on the night of Maha Ashtami (October 19) near Baruakandi Bypass Road under Dharmanagar police station. Police said the attack stemmed from a dispute over financial transactions and previous enmity.

According to the investigation, an altercation had taken place a day earlier between the prime accused, Bijan Das (32), and a local youth over a monetary issue. Jaydeep Roy Chowdhury, popularly known as "Bishal", had reportedly intervened during that dispute. On the following evening, Bijan allegedly confronted Jaydeep again, slapped him in public and reignited the conflict.

After being informed of the incident, elder brother Shubhadip reached the spot along with friends to resolve the matter. Police alleged that Bijan, armed with a sharp weapon, launched a sudden attack, fatally stabbing Shubhadip before turning on Jaydeep when he attempted to save his brother. The two brothers succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the North District Hospital.

Following the incident, police placed the injured accused under guard at the hospital to prevent any escape. Upon his discharge, Bijan Das was formally arrested. His elder brother, Rahul Das (37), was also taken into custody later for alleged involvement in the case.

North Tripura Superintendent of Police (SP) Abinash Rai said a case has been registered under Sections 103(1) (murder), 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He stated that the investigation had so far established the murders to be the outcome of a financial dispute and that eyewitness testimony as well as technical evidence strongly implicated the accused.

"The prime accused has been arrested and the investigation is progressing rapidly. We are preparing a comprehensive charge sheet to ensure exemplary punishment. We are also examining whether any other persons assisted in the commission of the crime," the SP said.

After meeting the bereaved family, Minister Tinku Roy held a meeting with SP Abinash Rai and urged the police to conduct a swift, impartial and foolproof investigation.

Speaking to reporters later, the minister described the killings as "heartbreaking and inhuman."

"It is unimaginable that a family has lost both its young sons during the festive season. We witnessed the unbearable grief of the parents firsthand. The government stands firmly with the family, and we have full faith that the law will ensure the harshest possible punishment for the guilty. No one involved in this barbaric crime will be spared," he said.

The tragedy has left the victims' family devastated. Their father, Samiran Roy Chowdhury, is bedridden after suffering paralysis and reportedly requires medicines costing around Rs. 10,000 every month. Their mother, Leela Roy Chowdhury, who earns a living by selling toys during festivals, broke down while recounting how her sons had been the family's only breadwinners.

She alleged that Bijan Das brutally killed both her sons and appealed for the strictest punishment under the law, saying the family had been left without any means of survival.

The double murder has cast a shadow over the Durga Puja celebrations in Dharmanagar and sparked demands from residents for speedy investigation, early filing of the charge sheet and exemplary punishment for all those involved. The minister's visit and the police's assurance of expeditious action have provided some solace to the bereaved family, even as the district continues to mourn one of its most shocking crimes in recent years.