16 Houses Set On Fire In Tripura After Idol Defaced At Temple

At least 16 houses and a few vehicles were set on fire by unidentified persons after an idol was found defaced at a temple in flood-hit Tripura, the police said on Monday, adding no one was reported injured.

The incident was reported from Ranirbazar district in West Tripura, some 10 km from capital Agartala.

According to Tripura police sources, a group of miscreants stormed into Durganagar village in the Jirania Sub-division and vandalized several houses, setting them on fire, after the idol of Goddess Kali was found damaged in a temple.

Government sources say the situation is now under control.

There is heavy security deployment in the area to defuse tension. Also, prohibitory orders have been imposed in the Jirania subdivision under which Ranirbazar falls.

Under the prohibitory orders, assembly of five or more people is not allowed.

"There is a temple here of Goddess Kali and the idol was defaced that created tension. Our forces quelled the tension but overnight some youth from other areas gathered here and they tried to create trouble. Police controlled the situation and it's peaceful now. We have shifted the affected people to shelter home," said Dr Kiran Kumar K, Superintendent of Police, West Tripura.

Witnesses said that the residents fled upon seeing the raging mob.

"Last night incident was very unfortunate and we are trying to engage both sides in a dialogue and normalise the situation. We are also trying to see how the losses of the people can be compensated," said Dr Vishal Kumar, District Magistrate, West Tripura.

Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, expressing concern over the incident, has appealed to everyone to maintain law and order.

"Last night incident in Ranirbazar Kaiturbari area is a worrying sign with reports of communal clashes. I appeal to those who are responsible for maintaining law and order to follow the rule of law," he wrote on Facebook.

"When our state is reeling under a natural disaster and so much of stress is there, some elements are only playing religious politics. Miscreants regardless of their faith must be dealt with firmly -- law has to be neutral to all. I ask for Tripura to unite in these tough times and not fight with each other," he added.

At least 26 persons have died and 1.17 lakh people have been rendered homeless in Tripura due to devastating floods since August 19.