Tripura: Seven policemen injured in clash with Reang refugees

Seven police personnel were injured in a clash with inmates of a Reang refugee camp in North Tripura district, following the suicide of a camp inmate early Sunday morning.

Seven police personnel were injured in a clash with inmates of a Reang refugee camp in North Tripura district, following the suicide of a camp inmate early Sunday morning.

North district superintendent of police Manik Das said the trouble began three days ago when the inmate or internally displaced person (IDP) at Narsingpara camp in Kanchanpur subdivision had been caught catching fish illegally from the pond of a person at nearby Kashirampur.

The 32-year-old camp inmate was beaten up by the pond owner and villagers. He was admitted to Kanchanpur hospital, from where he was released on Friday last.

However, he was readmitted yesterday following some complaints and committed suicide this morning by hanging himself from a nearby tree.

Das said the youth had left behind a note saying none was responsible for his death and his body was sent for the post mortem.

However, as rumour spread that the youth was killed in hospital, a mob of camp inmates attacked the pond owner’s house and ransacked it.

Police rushed to the spot and was injured by the mob, Das said adding the injured policemen were rushed to the hospital.

The situation was now under control and a huge contingent of police have been deployed in the area, the SP said.

Senior police officials were camping at the spot to avert any untoward situation, he added.

37,000 Reang IDPs are staying in seven evacuee camps in Kanchanpur subdivision following ethnic clashes with the Mizos over possession of land since 1997. They fled from neighbouring Mizoram and took shelter in the evacuee camps.