Ranirbazar police is currently bringing the situation under control (Representative Image) | Photo Credit: BCCL

Agartala: Less than a month after the molestation of a minor girl allegedly by a worker from Northern India sparked a row of violent protests against migrants in Gujarat, a somewhat similar matter has come to light from state capital Agartala. About 300 people have fled their homes in the Ranirbazar area of West Tripura following a clash between two communities after a tribal girl was allegedly molested.

Police officials told news agency PTI that the incident which triggered widespread outrage across the region took place on Thursday when a minor girl had gone to the Ranirbazar area along with her boyfriend. The girl who had gone to purchase Durga idols was allegedly molested by four youths who also snatched her mobile phone.

She then returned to the area along with a large group consisting of other members of her community who then attempted to vandalise the homes of those who had allegedly molested the girl, said Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) BB Das.

Following the incident, panic gripped the Ranirbazar area where violence continued on Friday even after state minister and Indigenous People’s Front Tripura (IPFT) leader NC Debbarma reached the scene in order to subdue the situation. During the second day of the violence, members of the girl’s community constantly tried to burn down the houses of those who had molested her but succeeded in setting only one ablaze.

This led to about 300 people of 61 families to flee from their homes. About 100 of them are camping near the Ranirbazar police station in fear of violence and are being looked after by the district administration.

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