GANDACHHARA, a small sub-divisional township in the Dhalai District of Tripura, known for its unique ethnic harmony and peaceful coexistence between tribal and Bengali communities, has recently experienced an unprecedented and destructive backlash. This violence, targeting a specific ethnic group residing in Gandachhara town and nearby villages, was perpetrated by a faction of tribal youths.

Gandachhara is a sub-division with a small Bengali community, primarily refugees resettled from what is now Bangladesh in the 1950s, alongside the indigenous tribal population. Over time, Gandachhara developed from a village into a town and now serves as the sub-divisional headquarters. Despite the relatively small number of resettled Bengalis compared to the indigenous tribal population, the friendship between the two groups remained strong, even amidst persistent provocations by secessionist extremist outfits over the decades.

TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT IGNITED THE VIOLENCE

On July 3, 2024, a month-long 'Ananda Mela' (Merriment Fair) commenced at 30-Card, near Gandachhara town, organized by local BJP leaders. Although the impoverished community had little interest in the fair, which was primarily set up to facilitate trade in liquor and gambling, the event proceeded. On July 7, an altercation and physical altercation at a gambling den resulted in severe injuries to Parameshwar Reang. He was quickly transported to GBP Hospital in Agartala, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 11.

Although the incident was initially a personal altercation leading to the tragic death of a tribal student, it had no ethnic implications. However, Tipra Motha followers quickly began inciting ethnic tensions against the Bengali community. Upon the arrival of Parameshwar Reang's body in Gandachhara on the evening of July 12, the Tipra Motha instigated ethnic violence, resulting in widespread vandalism and arson targeting Bengali homes and businesses. The violence led to the destruction of houses belonging to 165 families, who lost everything and became entirely destitute. Many families lost their cars, bikes, and domestic animals, which were burned by the rioters. Several families had to seek refuge in the jungle to escape the violence.

The Gandachhara police station, located nearby with a substantial contingent, failed to intervene during the violence that erupted on July 12 in Gandachhara town and surrounding areas. The inaction was reportedly due to the fact that the perpetrators were affiliated with Tipra Motha, a partner in the Alliance Government. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the student's murder or the subsequent violence and property destruction. Under the BJP rule in Tripura, it has become a troubling norm that police take action only against individuals affiliated with opposition parties, while remaining passive in cases involving their allies.

INHUMANE CONDITIONS IN THE SHELTER

More than 400 individuals from 165 affected families have been placed in Gandachhara Higher Secondary School. Rather than being a shelter, it resembles a detention camp. Outsiders are not permitted to visit the inmates, and those inside are not allowed to leave the premises. The conditions are dire, with insufficient food, clothing, water, milk for babies, and unusable toilets, leading to severe hardship for the residents.

Tipra Motha Chief Pradyut Kishore Debbarman visited Gandachhara on July 16. He promoted peace and visited the family of the deceased, Parameshwar Reang, to offer condolences. However, he did not meet any of the Bengali community members affected by the violence and currently residing in the camp. He also failed to condemn the backlash and widespread property destruction or call for legal action against the perpetrators. Similarly, the BJP has not issued any statement condemning the murder or the destruction. On July 17, Minister Tinku Roy visited the area but had to leave due to the hostility from the affected families.

While Tipra Motha leaders and a minister were permitted to visit Gandachhara, the government strongly opposed several attempts by opposition parties, including Jitendra Chaudhury, Leader of the Opposition, to enter the area. On July 22, 2024, Jitendra Chaudhury and Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman, MLA, were turned back midway despite having approval from the District Magistrate and SP. Unable to justify this discriminatory treatment, the government eventually allowed opposition leaders to visit Gandachhara on August 2, 2024.

SERIOUS CONCERNS

The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) expressed shock and dismay over the violence against an ethnic group in Gandachhara and issued notices to the director general of police and the district magistrate of Dhalai district. The three-member panel, led by Swapan Chandra Das, a retired judge of the Tripura High Court, raised concerns about the negligence of law enforcement in preventing the violence. The commission has requested a preliminary report within three weeks to determine the next steps.

On August 2, 2024, a CPI(M) team, led by leader of the opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, visited Gandachhara. The team included MLAs Ramu Das, Sudip Sarkar, and Nayan Sarkar, as well as former MLAs Naresh Jamatia, Sudhan Das, Lalit Tripura, Nakul Das, and other party leaders. They inspected the areas affected by the violence, met with the displaced families camped at Gandachhara Higher Secondary School, and consoled the family of the deceased Parameshwar Reang. The team expressed their condolences and assured the affected individuals that they would raise their issues with the government to expedite their resettlement and ensure their future security.

Upon returning to Agartala, the team met with the press the same day. They described the dire conditions faced by the homeless individuals sheltered in a school and expressed astonishment at the scale of destruction. The team highlighted that it was unimaginable for so many homes and belongings to be reduced to rubble within one or two hours, especially in the presence of a police force that showed criminal indifference – a troubling new development in the state.

The delegation urged the government to take the following actions to restore peace and normalcy in the sub-division:

• Initiate a peace drive to restore harmony between ethnic groups.
• Identify and prosecute the perpetrators responsible for both the murder of the student and the subsequent arson and destruction.
• Provide maximum compensation to each victim's family for their resettlement.
• Offer a government job to a family member of the deceased Parameshwar Reang.
• Arrange soft loans for the affected families to help them restart their trade, business, and agriculture.
• Establish security camps in the violence-affected areas to prevent further unrest.
• Ensure that the families currently sheltered in the school receive all necessary amenities to lead a normal life.

In response to the appeal from Left leaders, chief minister Manik Saha visited Gandachhara on August 4, accompanied by a large group of civil and police officials. His visit lasted only three minutes, during which he announced a government relief package without allowing the residents to voice their concerns.

This incident in Gandachhara highlights important lessons for the government and all concerned parties:

1. Despite Tripura's historic harmony between tribals and non-tribals, vested interests still seek to disrupt this unity. Complacency is not an option.
2. The unrest in Gandachhara underscores how politicisation of law enforcement can lead to significant disruption over seemingly minor issues.
3. Political forces that focus solely on tribal sectarianism, neglecting the real issues affecting people's daily lives, pose a serious threat to the state's peace, safety, and stability.