Agartala: Two brothers have been arrested in connection with the murder of a local club secretary in Tripura’s Kathaltali area, where tension gripped the locality on Tuesday following incidents of vandalism and arson targeting the houses of the accused, police said.
The administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in areas under Amtali Police Station to prevent any further deterioration of the law and order situation.
According to an official order, the administration apprehended retaliatory violence, unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace following the killing. The restrictions came into effect at 6 pm on June 23 and will remain in force for 48 hours, until 5 pm on June 25.
Under the order, the assembly of five or more persons has been prohibited within the jurisdiction of Amtali Police Station. Security personnel, government officials engaged in emergency duties and patients requiring immediate medical treatment have been exempted. Authorities warned that violators would face legal action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The victim, identified as Samir Das, was the secretary of Kathaltali Club. Local sources said he was also associated with the ruling BJP.
According to police sources, Das was returning home late on Monday night when he was allegedly intercepted by assailants while travelling on his two-wheeler. Before he could seek help, he was attacked with sharp weapons and sustained multiple stab injuries.
His body was later found lying in a pool of blood by the roadside. After being alerted by local residents, a team from Amtali Police Station rushed to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
Investigators launched a probe into the incident and deployed a forensic team and dog squad. Preliminary findings pointed to the involvement of two local residents, brothers Swapan Sutradhar and Mithun Sutradhar.
As news of the killing spread on Tuesday morning, large numbers of people gathered in Kathaltali, leading to heightened tension. Residents alleged that the two brothers were responsible for the murder and demanded immediate action.
Sensing the possibility of unrest, police deployed a large contingent of personnel, including Tripura State Rifles (TSR) troopers, in and around the locality. However, angry groups later attacked the houses of the accused.
Police said boundary fencing and portions of the residential structures were vandalised. A section of one house was also set on fire before security personnel intervened. Crowd-control measures were used to disperse the gathering and prevent further violence.
Amid fears of retaliation, family members of the accused were shifted to safer locations, officials said.
The two accused had fled the area after the incident but were later traced and arrested from another part of Agartala during a police operation, officials said.
“The situation has been brought under control, but additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident,” Amtali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Paritosh Das said.
West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak visited Kathaltali and reviewed the security arrangements. He said two persons had been arrested in connection with the murder and assured that all aspects of the case would be thoroughly investigated.
Pathak also appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Ipper Monchak later visited the area and took stock of the situation amid the continued deployment of security personnel.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to ascertain the motive behind the crime.
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