Ahead of the widespread outrage from civil society across the country against anti-Muslim violence in Tripura, the High Court of Tripura has taken suo moto cognizance of the uneasy calm that has prevailed in the state and directed the state government to consider forming peace committees at district and sub-divisional levels.
Currently, peace meetings are being conducted at the Muslim-dominated areas of Babur Bazaar and Tilla Bazaar in Kailashahar. BJP MLA Bhagaban Das, opposition MLA Moboshar Ali along with the DM and SP were present at the meetings.
The court has called upon all political parties to participate fully in the peace process.
The Tripura State Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind had reached out to the government on Friday seeking security for the 4 lakh Muslims residing in the state and their places of worship.
Locals say that after the Tripura HC took suo moto cognizance on the matter, the situation is getting better and is under control. However, heavy deployment of the TSR (Tripura State Rifles), BSF and police remain in the state. “Situation is now getting a bit better, but Muslims are still in fear”, a local – Mohd Sultan Hussain said.
The court has ordered the state government to file affidavits by November 10, seeking information on the preventative measures taken and the government’s plan to scuttle “the design of stoking communal passion”. It has also sought an affidavit enlisting the number of arrests and the investigation on the cases filed.
A press release by the Tripura Police stated that 3 persons from both communities were arrested so far and 9 cases have been registered by various police stations. “Police is also monitoring social media to detect fake news and identify the ‘anti-social’ elements”, the statement released on the occasion of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Motorcycle Rally’ read.
Taking the note of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb’s statement on compensation for victims, the court said, “We direct the state to take urgent action in this regard so that the livelihood of persons who have lost their source of income can be restored at the earliest”.
According to the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), a human rights group that has been closely monitoring the situation in Tripura, there have been at least 27 confirmed incidents of Hindutva mobs attacking mosques, houses and individuals in Muslim areas. These include 16 incidents where mosques were vandalised and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) flags were forcibly hoisted on them. At least three mosques, Palbazar mosque in Unakoti district, Dogra Masjid in Gomati district and Narola Tila in Vishalgarh were set on fire.
