6th June 1980: The Darkest Day in Tripura’s Modern History – The Beginning of the Ethnic Riots
Jayanta Debnath
June 6, 2025
(Note from the Author)
This article has been written with a sincere and research-based approach to educate the present generation of both tribal and non-tribal youths in Tripura. The aim is not to reopen old wounds, but to help young minds understand a tragic chapter of our history, so that they do not fall into the trap of present-day wily political leaders who attempt to divide communities for personal or familial gains. Remembering history is essential not to breed hatred, but to ensure that such blunders are never repeated.)
The 6th of June 1980 marks one of the darkest chapters in the modern history of Tripura. On this day, a brutal ethnic riot broke out between the indigenous tribal population and the Bengali-speaking community of the state. What began as a seemingly small altercation in a pineapple orchard in Lembuchara village, near the state capital Agartala, soon escalated into widespread violence, leaving an indelible scar on Tripura’s social fabric.
On the morning of 6 June 1980, a clash erupted in Lembuchara over pineapple harvesting. A disagreement between tribal and Bengali villagers quickly turned violent. While the incident appeared spontaneous, it was actually the outcome of simmering tensions that had been building up for months.
One person was killed during this initial confrontation, triggering a chain reaction of ethnic violence across various parts of the state.
Political Background: The Road to 1980
The roots of the 1980 riot can be traced back to political developments in 1979. That year, the then Chief Minister of Tripura, Nripen Chakraborty, had announced plans to establish the Autonomous District Council (ADC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, aimed at empowering the tribal population with self-governance.
While this move was intended to uplift indigenous communities, it sparked anxiety and opposition among many Bengalis, who feared marginalization. The announcement created unrest, especially in areas with mixed populations.
Tensions escalated in Teliamura in 1979, when a rally organized by the Bengali nationalist group Amra Bangali to oppose the ADC was disrupted by police and members of the Ganamukti Parishad, the tribal wing of the CPI(M). This led to violent clashes in which Teliamura witnessed bloodshed, including injuries to the local CPI(M) MLA, Jiten Sarkar. These events marked the beginning of open ethnic polarization in Tripura.
The Violence Spreads: From Lembuchara to the Hills and Plains
Following the Lembuchara incident, violence spread rapidly across Tripura. Within days, a series of retaliatory attacks and counterattacks plunged the state into chaos. The most horrifying incident took place in Mandai, a village thirty KMs northeast of Agartala.
In Mandai, nearly 400 Bengali civilians, including women and children, were reportedly rounded up inside a school building and massacred. This atrocity remains one of the worst ethnic killings in the history of Northeast India.
Waves of violence spread to Gandachara to Kanchanpur, Amarpur, Maharani, Jatanbari, Kalyanpur, Teliamura, and Bishramganj. Villages were torched, homes looted, and thousands were killed or displaced. A deep ethnic hatred engulfed the state, leaving behind a legacy of trauma and fear that lingers even today.
Casualties and Political Fallout
According to many veteran local journalists and media reports of Tripura, the riots claimed at least 10,000 lives. Tens of thousands more were rendered homeless and forced into relief camps under deplorable conditions.
Politically, blame was exchanged from all sides. The Indian National Congress, then in opposition, accused CPI(M) Education Minister Dasharath Debbarma of inciting the violence. In turn, the Left Front blamed opposition forces for attempting to destabilize the government.
Union Home Minister Giani Zail Singh (later President of India) visited Tripura amid the crisis. Deeply moved by the suffering, he reportedly broke into tears while visiting refugee camps and stated:
“This riot has pushed Tripura back by at least 90 years.”
Social and Economic Impact
Prior to the riots, Bengalis and tribals had coexisted with relative harmony, particularly in rural and hill areas. Trade and social interactions were frequent. However, after 1980, mutual trust was shattered. Fear and suspicion became widespread, especially in mixed-population zones.
The long-term consequences were severe:
1. Social cohesion was broken,
2. Inter-community trade declined sharply,
3. The economy, especially in rural and tribal areas, suffered greatly.
The events of 6 June 1980 were not just a tragic episode but a turning point that redefined the socio-political landscape of Tripura.
Government Response: The Dinesh Singh Committee
In response to the 1980 unrest, the Government of India constituted the Dinesh Singh Committee in July 1980. As reported by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, then Minister of State in the Ministry of Home, the committee was formed to address the crisis and recommend measures for long-term peace.
Key objectives of the Dinesh Singh Committee:
1. Ensure speedy restoration of normalcy,
2. Recommend relief and rehabilitation for riot victims,
3. Promote harmony between communities.
The committee submitted its report within a month, on 7 August 1980, and it was tabled in Parliament (RS) on 11 August 1980. However, despite its timely submission, the implementation of its recommendations remained minimal.
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad emphasized in the Rajya Sabha that the central government recognized the need for accelerated development in Tripura. Unfortunately, most of the committee’s key proposals were either neglected or only partially acted upon.
Unfulfilled Recommendations
The Dinesh Singh Committee likely made the following recommendations:
1. Strengthening law and order,
2. Implementing socio-economic development programs,
3. Rehabilitating displaced people and rebuilding infrastructure.
But the government in Delhi did little to resolve the trust deficit between the two communities or to push forward meaningful development. As a result, Tripura continues to suffer the consequences, even four decades later.
Are the Recommendations Still Relevant?
Yes, even today. Although the situation in Tripura has improved considerably, the core issues identified by the committee remain relevant.
Key areas where action is still overdue:
1. Infrastructure growth: Some highway and border road projects have emerged, but progress is insufficient.
2. Peace and insurgency management: Peace accords have been signed, but many terms—particularly related to rehabilitation—remain unfulfilled.
3. Tribal development: No significant special package for tribal welfare through TTAADC, education, or healthcare has been implemented.
4. Cultural integration: Very little effort has been made to promote inclusive governance or cultural understanding.
5. Border trade with Bangladesh: Except for limited projects like the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, broader trade and connectivity remain underdeveloped.
Final Reflection
The Dinesh Singh Committee's recommendations in 1980 are not outdated, they are still urgently needed. The lessons from that tragic year serve as a sobering reminder of what happens when communal mistrust, political ambition, and government inaction collide.
Remembering June 6, 1980, is not about reopening wounds. It is about understanding history so that we don’t allow it to repeat. Our future lies in unity, in dialogue, and in a shared commitment to peace and progress for all communities of Tripura.
(The writer is a senior journalist and Editor of Tripurainfo.com)
(Tripurainfo)
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