A passenger bus in Tripura’s Sepahijala district was attacked by alleged TIPRA Motha supporters after a molestation complaint. Locals suspect the violence was staged to incite unrest. Several passengers were injured. Police are investigating both the complaint and the mob attack amid fears of rising political tension.
Tension gripped Bishramganj motor stand in Sepahijala district on Tuesday evening after a passenger bus was attacked by a group of alleged Tipra Motha-backed miscreants, resulting in injuries to several passengers and triggering serious law and order concerns. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, is being perceived by many as a calculated move to stir unrest and provoke communal disharmony in the region.
According to police sources and eyewitnesses, the violence erupted following a complaint by a female passenger who accused a fellow commuter of inappropriate touching during the journey. The young woman had boarded the bus from Agartala, which was en route to Sonamura. However, she reportedly could not identify the accused individual clearly, leading to confusion and tension within the vehicle.
When the bus arrived at Bishramganj motor stand, a group of men—allegedly linked to the TIPRA Motha party—was already waiting. Eyewitnesses stated that the group seemed pre-informed about the allegation and, without verifying the details or allowing any investigation, launched an indiscriminate attack on the bus and its passengers. The miscreants vandalized the vehicle, assaulted several commuters, and left behind a trail of chaos and injuries.
Panic spread among bystanders and passengers alike as the attackers damaged windows and seats of the bus and physically attacked people they suspected of being involved. Several individuals, including elderly passengers, were reportedly injured in the melee and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
As the situation escalated, local police rushed to the spot, accompanied by additional security personnel. Superintendent of Police for Sepahijala district, Bijoy Debbarma, also arrived at the site to take stock of the situation and ensure that law and order were brought under control. The vandalized vehicle was later seized and taken to the Bishramganj police station for further examination.
The girl who made the initial complaint was also brought to the police station for questioning, but her inability to identify the perpetrator added complexity to the investigation. While the authenticity of the complaint is being probed, the subsequent violent response by the alleged TIPRA Motha members has raised serious concerns about growing political interference in sensitive issues.
Local residents and eyewitnesses expressed suspicion about the nature and timing of the attack. Many believe the incident was orchestrated not out of genuine concern for justice but as a part of a larger plan to incite tension between communities. “This looked like a staged drama. The attackers were already waiting when the bus arrived. It’s clear someone informed them in advance,” said a local shopkeeper near the motor stand.
Community leaders and political observers have condemned the violence and stressed the importance of allowing law enforcement to handle such sensitive complaints rather than taking matters into one’s own hands. “This kind of vigilantism is dangerous. A complaint must be properly investigated. We cannot allow political outfits to exploit such incidents for divisive agendas,” said one local leader on the condition of anonymity.
Police officials have promised a thorough investigation into both the alleged molestation complaint and the subsequent mob violence. “We are not ruling out any angle. We are questioning all witnesses and trying to identify the assailants. If any political link is found, strict action will be taken as per law,” said an official at Bishramganj police station.
As of Tuesday night, the situation remained tense but under control with continued police presence in the area. Security has been beefed up in surrounding areas to prevent any retaliatory actions or spread of unrest.
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The incident has once again highlighted the fragile communal fabric of certain regions in Tripura and the dangerous trend of politicizing criminal allegations. Authorities are urging citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the ongoing investigation while refraining from spreading unverified information or inflammatory content on social media.
