An elderly man was murdered and his wife critically injured during a brutal midnight dacoity in Sonamura, Tripura. The attackers looted valuables and left the couple’s home drenched in blood. Police have detained three suspects, raising urgent concerns over rural security and law enforcement effectiveness.
A terrifying incident of dacoity and murder has jolted the peaceful town of Sonamura in Tripura, leaving the local community in shock and despair. In the early hours of Tuesday, a gang of armed dacoits stormed a house in the Sri Durga Sangha area under Kalamkhet Gram Panchayat in the Melaghar region, brutally killing an 80-year-old man and severely injuring his 70-year-old wife.
Midnight Raid Turns Fatal
The deceased, Shanti Ranjan Das, was reportedly tied up and beaten to death by a group of 10 to 12 masked intruders who broke into the couple’s home with the intention of looting valuables. His wife, Namita Das, was viciously assaulted with sharp weapons during the attack. She is currently in critical condition and undergoing treatment at GB Pant Hospital in Agartala.
According to police sources, the elderly couple lived alone, with their three sons residing elsewhere. One son serves in the Tripura State Rifles, while the other two are engaged in business activities in Agartala. Authorities suspect that the criminals were aware of the couple’s isolated living situation, making them an easy target.
Ornaments Targeted, Resistance Met with Brutality
The motive behind the attack appears to be robbery, with the dacoits specifically targeting gold ornaments. As per initial reports, the gang attempted to snatch jewellery worn by Namita Das. When the elderly couple resisted the looting, the criminals escalated their aggression. The house turned into a horrifying crime scene, with bloodstains marking the site of the gruesome violence.
The level of brutality and the number of assailants involved have alarmed the local residents and raised serious questions about the deteriorating law and order situation in the area.
Community in Shock, Authorities Under Pressure
The chilling murder and dacoity have left the local population in a state of fear and outrage. Community members have voiced their concern over the apparent breakdown of security and the growing sense of vulnerability among the elderly and those living alone.
“How can such a horrifying incident take place right in our neighborhood without any intervention?” questioned one local resident. Many are demanding increased night patrolling and immediate strengthening of security in vulnerable areas.
Police Response and Investigation
In response to the incident, senior officials, including the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sonamura, arrived at the crime scene early on Wednesday. The area was cordoned off, and forensic experts were brought in to gather evidence.
Sonamura police acted swiftly by detaining three suspects from Kathalia Mura, located under Sonamura Police Station. These individuals are currently under intense interrogation. Authorities are optimistic that questioning the detainees will help uncover the identities of the remaining gang members.
“We are treating this case with utmost seriousness. No stone will be left unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said a senior police officer overseeing the investigation.
A Wake-Up Call on Rural Security
This tragic incident has reignited public discourse on the need for stronger law enforcement in rural and semi-urban regions like Sonamura. While crimes of such magnitude are relatively rare in the area, the gruesome nature of this dacoity-cum-murder has rattled the community.
| Also Read: NHIDCL MD to Visit Tripura on August 10 |
Security experts emphasize the importance of community policing, neighborhood watch groups, and better surveillance infrastructure to prevent such crimes, especially in households with elderly residents living alone.
As the investigation unfolds, the residents of Sonamura can only hope for swift justice and urgent action to prevent such horrors from repeating.
