After the death of a youth allegedly by lynching attempt on Sunday triggered heavy tension across the Gandacherra subdivision on Friday. Given the intense tension, the Gandachara sub-division has come to a complete standstill amid panchayat polls.

Under Section 163 BNSS (144) has been promulgated by the Sub-divisional administration for 48 hours to maintain peace and tranquillity. A large number of security personnel have also been deployed. The police have already arrested four youths involved in the attack incident and produced before a court and the court sent them to jail custody.

According to information, the incident took place at Ananda Mela festivity in 60-Card areas at around 11:30 PM on Sunday when a college student Parameshwar Reang of 33 KV area was severely beaten by a group of people while he was trying to save a mentally feeble person. After this incident his condition deteriorated and Parameshwar Reang was referred to GB Hospital in Agartala and succumbed to injuries on Friday. After the death of Parameshwar Reang, the news spread like wildfire and prevailing tension escalated across the subdivision and skirmish reported among two communities.

All the shops and commercial establishments of the Gandacherra subdivision wore a deserted look and miscreants had set fire on many shops. Large number of security forces were deployed in all vulnerable areas on Friday night and security forces have also fired tear gas cells to disperse agitated mobs.

Official sources said that the situation is under control and with promulgation of prohibitory order of section-163 of BNSS, the state administration has suspended mobile internet and SMS services throughout the Dhalai district.

A notification issued by the state government and signed by the Home Secretary, DR PK Chakraborty said that ‘a kind of serious mob violence took place in Gandacherra subdivision, where burning of shops were reported and till today the situation is yet to return to normal’.

The notification said that the messaging system like SMS and WhatsApp and social media platform like Facebook, ‘X’(formally twitter) and YouTube are likely to be used for the transmission of fake information like picture, images, videos and test that have the potential to incite violation and in order to prevent misuse of the social media to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the entire state and for maintaining the law and order situation, the Home Secretary has promulgates provisions of banning of internet services in entire Dhalai district till 12 PM(Midnight) of July 13.

Meanwhile, Tripura police through a statement said that after the untoward incident, which resulted in to death of one person, the incident being used by some anti-social elements to stoke hatred and commit offences such as arson and looting.

Police said that along with senior police officials, sufficient security forces are camping and patrolling in Gandacherra and the situation is under control and warned the rumour mongers to stop spreading fake messages. If such an incident of circulation of fake messages through rumours attacking communal sentiments, then police will take strict action under BNS and IT Act.

Sources added that amidst panic and tension large numbers of local people go for safe shelters and since Saturday morning, police along with CRPF and TSR jawans are patrolling in all vulnerable areas to defuse the tension.