12 houses, vehicles set afire after idol defaced at Tripura temple
PTC News Desk: Unidentified persons set fire to at least a dozen houses and a few vehicles after an idol was found defaced at a temple in flood-hit Tripura, according to police. No one has been injured in the incident.
The incident was recorded in the Ranirbazar district of West Tripura.
Heavy security has been deployed in the area to ease tensions, and prohibitory orders have been issued in the Jirania subdivision, which includes Ranirbazar.
The assembly of five or more people is prohibited by the prohibitory orders.
"Miscreants set fire around 12 houses in Ranirbazar late on Sunday after a Goddess Kali idol was discovered disfigured in Kaiturbari. A few motorcycles and pick-up vans were also destroyed in the fire," Assistant Inspector General (Law and Order) Ananta Das said.
Witnesses claimed that when they saw the furious mob, the residents fled.
"Once the assessment of property loss is completed, police will file a suo moto case. The situation is under control," stated the police officer.
Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma expressed concern over the incident and urged everyone to maintain peace and order.
"The occurrence last night in the Ranirbazar Kaiturbari area is a worrying sign with reports of communal conflicts. I appeal to those in charge of maintaining law and order to uphold the rule of law," he said on Facebook.
"When our state is struggling from a natural disaster and there is so much stress, some elements are only concerned with religion politics. Miscreants, regardless of faith, must face harsh consequences; the law must be neutral to all. I urge Tripura to come together during these trying times rather than fighting one other," he continued.
- With inputs from agencies
