Agartala, October 20: A series of tragic accidents, alleged violent attacks, thefts, fires and other incidents across Tripura during the past two days has marred the festive spirit of Durga Puja, raising serious concerns over public safety and law enforcement during the celebrations.
While thousands of people thronged Puja pandals across the state, incidents reported from Dharmanagar, Agartala, Kamalpur, Kakraban, Udaipur, Karbook, Amatali and other areas left several families mourning and residents worried about their security.
Among the most shocking incidents was the alleged killing of two brothers, Jaydeep Roy Chowdhury and Shubdeep Roy Chowdhury, at Baruakandi village panchayat under Dharmanagar police station on Maha Ashtami night. Another person, Bijan Das, reportedly suffered serious injuries in the incident. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain subject to police investigation.
In another disturbing episode, Bikram Saha, secretary of the GB Market Puja Committee, was allegedly assaulted during the early hours of the morning. He reportedly sustained severe neck injuries and required 19 stitches. He is currently receiving hospital treatment. Separately, a youth identified as Bappi was accused of attacking Shantu with a sharp-edged weapon on a public road near a hospital gate in the GB Market area.
Road accidents claimed the lives of two young people during the festive period. Sixteen-year-old Purnima Basphar reportedly died following a head-on collision between a motorcycle and an Alto car on the Dharmanagar–Haflong road. An injured man, Abhijit Das, 28, was admitted to Dharmanagar District Hospital. Police reportedly seized the car and took its driver, Pritam Dey, into custody.
In another tragedy, Class IX student Shilpi Ram Reang died after a scooter and motorcycle collided at Karbook market. The student was being taken to GB Hospital in Agartala after receiving initial treatment locally but reportedly died on the way.
Several other road accidents were reported, including a scooter crash at Rajchhantai in Bodhjungnagar and a motorcycle collision with a CNG vehicle near Malaynagar on the Amatali bypass. Emergency personnel reportedly shifted the injured rider to Hapania Hospital.
Fire incidents caused substantial losses in two separate locations. In Dharmanagar, a blaze reportedly destroyed ice-cream manufacturing materials worth approximately Rs 50 lakh. In Indranagar, Agartala, a family allegedly lost its belongings in a fire near the bridge adjacent to Kali Mandir. Three fire engines were reportedly deployed to bring the blaze under control. The causes of both fires remain unclear.
The festive nights also witnessed thefts in the Kishoreganj area under Kakraban police station. A pump house near a brick kiln was reportedly targeted, while the battery and a wheel were stolen from an autorickshaw belonging to Debashish Bhowmik.
Political tension surfaced in Kamalpur, where CPI(M) sources alleged that the party office had been attacked, vandalised and looted. Party leader Prakash Kewat was also reportedly assaulted. A protest march was subsequently organised against the alleged incidents. The local CPI(M) statement called for legal action and protection for those affected, while rejecting retaliation.
Elsewhere, a clash reportedly broke out among CNG drivers at Khilpara station in Udaipur. Visitors to the Shantikami Sangha Puja pandal in the Buddh Mandir area also faced inconvenience after a power disruption reportedly plunged the premises into darkness.
Meanwhile, an anti-narcotics operation at Manpathar market reportedly resulted in the seizure of 168 bottles of foreign liquor, highlighting continuing concerns over illegal liquor sales during the festival.
The incidents, though separate in nature, have placed public safety under renewed scrutiny. Residents have expressed concerns over road discipline, night-time security, fire prevention and the enforcement of festival-related restrictions. Further investigation and official verification will be necessary to establish the circumstances and responsibility in the reported cases.