Over 300 villagers still in camps after ethnic unrest following tribal student’s death in Gandacherra

Over 300 villagers, who took shelter in the relief camps after the large scale arson, vandalisation, looting and attacks in mixed populated Gandacherra ((Ganda Twisa) areas in Tripura’s Dhalai District on July 12, yet to return homes and they on Monday expressed wraths when a delegation of ruling BJP leaders and a minister visited the areas.

Officials and local people said that over 40 houses, more than 30 shops, huge number of properties, vehicles and two-wheelers were either burnt down or severely damaged by the attackers in Ganda Twisa on July 12 after Parameshwar Reang (20), a tribal student, succumbed to his injuries after being assaulted by some miscreants on July 7.

Escorted by a huge contingent of security forces, a BJP delegation led by Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy on Monday visited the trouble-torn areas and met with the affected people.

Dhalai District Magistrate and Collector Saju Vaheed A and district Superintendent of police Avinash Rai and other senior officials visited the areas on Sunday and Monday.

Affected villagers garoaed  the BJP delegation  and had also attacked the Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) office and had also ransacked furniture  and other office accessories. Later, security forces disperse them.

Both the BJP delegation and the official team witnessed public outburst while the affected people accused the police officials for “their negligence and inactions led to the indiscriminate violence for several hours on Friday night”.

The BJP team, which also comprises former MP Rebati Tripura, party’s vice-president Subal Bhowmik and MLA Rampada Jamatia, faced an aggressive reception from the non-tribal residents affected by the violence in Ganda Twisa (formerly Gandacherra).

District Magistrate assured the agitated residents that a detailed investigation would be conducted and necessary measures would be taken to ensure their safety and rehabilitation.

He said that the administration is currently supplying necessary food and other essentials to those living in relief camps.

A tense situation still prevailing in the Ganda Twisa areas, 130 km southeast of Agartala even as a huge contingent of central and state forces are maintaining their vigil.

The affected family members are now staying at the Gandatwisa Higher Secondary School while trade and business are severely affected in the areas for the past four days.

The government has announced to provide compensation to the affected families and businessmen.