Violent clashes over agarwood trade in Dharmanagar’s Hurua village left six injured, including women. Police detained the main accused after mobs ransacked a house and looted lakhs. Tension remains high as both sides demand justice.
Tension gripped Hurua village under Kalachhara rural development block in Dharmanagar subdivision after a violent clash broke out between two groups over the controversial agarwood trade. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, left at least six people injured and created panic among villagers, prompting immediate police intervention.
The Initial Assault
According to local sources, the conflict began when two youths, identified as Abul Fazal and Jubair Ahmed, were accused of involvement in the illegal agarwood trade. They were allegedly assaulted by a group of miscreants on suspicion of being thieves linked to agarwood smuggling activities.
The attack left both youths seriously injured. Police rushed them to Dharmanagar District Hospital for urgent medical care. Their condition was reported to be critical at the time of admission.
Public Outrage and Demand for Justice
As word of the assault spread across the locality, villagers gathered in large numbers at the Kadamtala police station, demanding immediate arrests of the culprits. The public protest grew intense, with locals urging authorities to take swift action.
Police officials attempted to pacify the crowd, assuring that arrests would be made within 24 hours. The situation, however, did not settle completely, as resentment and mistrust over the handling of agarwood-related crimes had already been simmering in the region.
Escalation of Violence
By evening, the situation took a more dramatic turn. The prime accused in the assault case, Abdul Malik, allegedly sought refuge at the residence of his close relative, Colonel Ali alias Billal, in Shimultila under Ward No. 5 of Nadiapur Shanichhara Gram Panchayat.
Soon after, a large group of youths allegedly stormed the house in retaliation. Eyewitnesses reported that the mob ransacked furniture, looted valuables, and assaulted family members. Several women, including Sayena Begum, Roshatana Begum, and Hamida Begum, sustained injuries during the attack.
The assailants reportedly took away cash worth several lakhs of rupees from the house before fleeing the spot. The violent episode left the entire village in a state of fear and uncertainty.
Police Intervention and Complaints Filed
Police reached Shimultila shortly after the attack, detained Abdul Malik, and brought him to Kadamtala police station for questioning. His detention was seen as a partial fulfillment of the villagers’ demand for justice.
Meanwhile, Colonel Ali’s family filed a written complaint at Churaibari police station, alleging targeted violence, physical assault, and large-scale looting. They also demanded adequate compensation for the damages caused and strict punishment for the attackers.
Background: Agarwood Trade and Local Tensions
Agarwood, also known as “liquid gold,” is one of the most expensive natural resources in the world, used in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicines. Its trade, both legal and illegal, has often been a source of conflict in border regions of Tripura.
Smuggling networks, local disputes, and mistrust between communities frequently trigger violent confrontations. Tuesday’s incident at Hurua village is being seen as another example of how agarwood-related rivalries can spiral out of control.
Current Situation and Way Forward
Police sources confirmed that investigations are underway to trace all those involved in both the initial assault and the retaliatory attack. Additional security has been deployed in the area to prevent further clashes.
Authorities have also assured that both the victims of assault and the women injured in the evening violence will receive medical assistance. Discussions are reportedly ongoing to maintain peace in the locality and bring guilty parties from both sides under the purview of law.
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Local leaders have appealed for calm, urging villagers not to take the law into their own hands. However, tensions remain high, and the community is anxiously awaiting concrete action by the police.
The series of incidents has once again highlighted the deep-rooted issues surrounding agarwood trade in North Tripura. Without stringent law enforcement and proper regulation, experts fear that similar violent confrontations may recur, threatening peace and stability in the region.
