Anti-Muslim violence grips BJP-ruled Tripura after VHP’s ‘Hunkar rally’; shops, mosques vandalized

In a so-called ‘retaliation to the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh’, as many as 16 mosques, various shops, and properties belonging to the Muslim community have been set on fire or vandalized in Tripura.

Videos and photographs emerging from social media suggest that the violence erupted after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) – an RSS affiliate – took out a ‘Hunkar Rally’ in support of Hindus in the tiny hill state on Tuesday.

Soon after that, violence erupted in North Tripura’s Panisagar area which later spread to other parts of the state.

As per the local media, apart from Panisagar of North Tripura, Maharani Kakraban Udaipur of Gomti District, Chandrapur and Ramnagar of West Tripura District and Kailashahar of Unkoti District were affected.

Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the Dharmanagar and Kailashahar area of North Tripura.

BJP MLA from Panisagar Binoy Bhushan Das was quoted as saying by news portal India Tomorrow that no arrest has been made so far.

Attacking BJP government for the violence against Muslims, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi urged PM Modi to take immediate action.

Condemning the violence, Tripura Democratic Front (TDF) and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) demanded action against the ‘rioters’. They also demanded security for Muslims and compensation for the loss of properties.

Social activists and independent journalists alleged that Tripura police did not act against the culprits. TDF leader had also urged the Bangladesh High Commissioner to provide complete protection to Hindus and their properties in Bangladesh.

Pertinently, over 400 people have been arrested in Bangladesh in connection with the violence against Hindus, but no arrest has been made in Tripura so far by the ruling BJP.