Mischievous social media campaign designed to disturb ethnic peace, police sound alert

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 25, 2024

Tripura police in a statement have alerted people against a mischievous social media campaign designed to disrupt ethnic relation and peace in the state capital and outlying areas. While putting people on alert the statement of the police have asked people to bring any disturbing development and activities by any section of people to the notice of police authority. Sources in the police said that over the past few days a message composed in tribal ‘Kokborok’ language, circulated through social media, has called upon tribal people living in Agartala and outlying areas to leave their habitats before July 26 because since that date they will come under ethnically motivated attacks by non-tribal section of people. The tribal people living in other towns and urban centres of the state will also come under attack as retaliatory measure against attacks on Bengalis on July 12 in Gandatwisa.

This potentially explosive message which is entirely false and baseless is being circulated through social media and mobile network. Tripura police have tracked the message and is trying to find out through cyber cell who initiated this mischievous campaign. What is a matter of concern for the police personnel and security agencies is that the mischievous campaign has asked tribals to go back home in hilly and rural areas by July 26 when the so-called imaginary attacks will start. Worried by the circulation of such a message the police have started strict monitoring of the social media and mobile network as the target of this messaging is the tribal student community.

Sources said that even during riots of 1979, 1980 and during long insurgencies between 1982-1988 and 1991-2003 the urban areas of the state including the state capital Agartala remained free from any trouble and there was no incident of attack on tribals in these areas. “This is a deliberate campaign to further intensify ethnic polarization in the state but we are on alert as are the people; such conspiracies will have to be defeated” said a senior police official.