Magisterial probe into mob violence, arson in Agartala

Agartala, Aug 25: The Tripura government has ordered a magisterial probe into the ethnic violence here on August 23, an official said on Thursday.

"A magisterial inquiry has been ordered by the state government to ascertain the facts on the violent attacks and clashes in Agartala on August 23," West Tripura district magistrate and collector Milind Ramteke said.

"The prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC which has been imposed in five police station areas in Agartala soon after the violence, would continue till midnight of Thursday. All kinds of public meetings and rallies have been disallowed during this period," he said.

The DM said that huge troopers of Assam Rifles, Border security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Tripura State Rifles and state police have remained vigilant over the situation.

"The situation in the capital city and its outskirts remained normal and no report of any fresh troubles has been reported from anywhere in the city," Ramteke claimed.

An official release said that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio, held meeting with Chief Secretary Yashpal Singh, police Chief K. Nagaraj and other top officials and reviewed the situation.

Opposition parties specially Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the Agarala incident and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge.

At least 24 people, including five policemen, were injured in Agartala after activists of a tribal party -- Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) -- attacked civilians, traders and vehicles indiscriminately without provocation on Tuesday.

The situation turned violent as hundreds of tribals owing allegiance to the IPFT took out a rally and attacked passersby, including women.

The IPFT has been agitating for the creation of a separate state, carved out by upgrading the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council area. Tribals constitute a third of Tripura's four million population.

IANS