Agartala: Tension escalated in Pekucherra, North Tripura district, following the alleged attack on a Shiva temple by unidentified miscreants, according to police reports.
Outraged by the incident, members of the Hindu community staged protests and attempted to attack two mosques in the area, a police officer revealed.
“A temple was either ransacked or collapsed. The matter is currently under thorough investigation. The incident sparked widespread tension, with members of both communities mobilizing in large numbers. To defuse the situation, a significant deployment of Tripura State Rifles personnel was made in the area,” said North Tripura Superintendent of Police Bhanupada Chakraborty.
He urged the public to remain calm and avoid being misled by false rumors circulating on social media.
“I appeal to the public to stay calm and allow the police to carry out their investigation,” he added.
According to sources, efforts to attack two mosques were thwarted by police intervention.
Anticipating further escalation, the state government suspended internet services across North Tripura for the next 72 hours.
“Due to communal tension in parts of North Tripura district, I, Dr. Pradeep Kumar Chakravarty, Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department, hereby issue this notification under Section 52 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The following media types are prohibited for 72 hours from 1700 hours on 15/10/2024 throughout the entire North Tripura district: I. SMS messages of all mobile service providers. II. Mobile internet/data services of all mobile service providers. III. All press messages. Violation of this notification will be punishable under Section 223 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and relevant provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017,” the order reads.
This incident occurred shortly after communal tensions flared in the Kadamtala area of the same district.
In a late development, the Director General of Police removed North Tripura Superintendent of Police Bhanupada Chakraborty, reassigning him to the Police Headquarters. The Superintendent of Police for Dhalai district has been given additional charge of North Tripura.
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