Image Courtesy:indiatimes.com
Days after right-wing mobs reportedly vandalised as many as six mosques in Tripura, claiming the attack to be a “retaliation for the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh,” communal unrest continues to be reported from various parts of the state. However, police have now clarified that the mosque in Panisagar that was rumoured to have been burnt down, is actually “safe and secure”. Police even tweeted pictures from the location:
Tripura Police appeals to all not to spread rumours.
Below are photographs of masjid in Panisagar. It is evident that masjid is safe and secure. pic.twitter.com/kp1oCEBa8T— Tripura Police (@Tripura_Police) October 28, 2021
Tripura Police further appealed to the public “not to spread rumours regarding the Panisagar incident. Please do not retweet or like the social media post without verification since it amounts to endorsing the view.” They added that the situation “is under control.”
Tripura Police appeals to all not to spread rumours regarding panisagar incident. Please do not retweet or like the social media post without verification since it amounts to endorsing the view.
Law and Order situation is under control in the state.#Tripura pic.twitter.com/WdOip4fyc1— Tripura Police (@Tripura_Police) October 28, 2021
SabrangIndia had reported previously on how over a dozen houses and shops belonging to Muslims were vandalised by Hindutva groups such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal across Tripura, as retaliation for attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Photos and videos, that went viral on social media, showed how the right-wing mobs have been raising anti-Muslim slogans during protests, forcing Muslim families to flee.
However, now police have warned that “fake social media accounts are being used to spread fake news and communally sensitive rumours.” These include visuals “of burning and damaged mosque (sic).” Police maintained that the situation in Tripura was “absolutely normal” and warned that action will be taken against those spreading rumours.
1/1
Certain persons by using fake social media IDs are spreading fake news/rumours on Tripura. It is informed that law & order situation in the State is absolutely normal.#Tripura
— Tripura Police (@Tripura_Police) October 27, 2021
According to a report in The Wire, Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police (law and order) Subrata Chakraborty said that a mosque was ransacked and a few shops and houses were vandalised in the Chamtila and Rowa Bazar areas under the Panisagar sub-division. He said, “Some miscreants attacked a small mosque, some shops and some houses during the VHP rally. These shops and houses reportedly belong to families from the minority community. We have deployed an adequate number of police officers to maintain law and order. The incident took place near Chamtila and Rowa bazaar area. We have registered a case.”
Meanwhile, volatile anti-Muslim slogans were raised during a rally in Tripura, where Hindutva groups chanted, “Hindustan me mulla geri nahi chalega, nahi chalega, (Islam will not be allowed in India)”
Inflammatory, anti-Muslim slogans raised during a rally in #Tripura.
“O Mohammad tera baap, Jai Shri Ram Jai Shri Ram”
“Hindustan me mulla geri nahi chalega, nahi chalega”
The rally was organised by VHP to protest against recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/xWTwMBfX2u
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) October 27, 2021
However, The Wire quoted a senior police official as confirming “that the video recording was of a rally held somewhere else, not in Panisagar.” A case has been registered against unknown VHP workers and the police said they are “investigating the matter and collecting all video footage.” No arrests have been made so far. The Dharmanagar sub-divisional magistrate Kamales Dhar has also clamped section 144 of the CrPC, as there was “a strong apprehension of breach of peace and public tranquillity in Dharmanagar sub-division… it is necessary to impose certain restrictions on movement of people in Dharmanagar sub-division… until further order.”
According to news reports, the opposition CPI (Marxist) issued a statement condemning the violence. The CPI(M) stated that after the VHP’s procession in the Panisagar sub-division went to the Rowa area, it turned violent, and shops were vandalised and set on fire. It said, “Small businesses that rely on these stores have suffered greatly. This has created a worrying situation in the area. Locals alleged the violent attack took place in front of police.”
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya told the media that there was a political conspiracy behind the incident claiming, “VHP is a social organisation and they took permission before holding the rally. I believe there was a political conspiracy behind the incident to malign the name of the government and to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the state. We want peace. We are demanding strict action against the culprits.”
Related:
Tripura: Right-wing mobs vandalise mosques in response to the attack on minority Hindus in Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Mass strike called on October 23 to protest attacks on minorities
Don’t consider yourselves as minorities: Sheikh Hasina reassures Hindus
‘Zero tolerance for communal violence’: Dhaka Tribune editorial