Kamalpur, Tripura – A violent turn during a bandh (strike) called by the Tiprasa Civil Society (TCS) in Tripura’s Dhalai district on Thursday, October 23, 2025, left at least 12 people injured, including government officials and a police officer. The incident prompted authorities to impose an indefinite curfew in the Kamalpur sub-division to prevent further escalation of unrest.
The 24-hour shutdown was organized by the Tiprasa Civil Society, an organization affiliated with the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a partner in the ruling BJP-led state government. Led by TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma, the bandh sought to press for eight demands, including the deportation of illegal migrants and the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord signed last year for the betterment of the state's indigenous tribal people.
The violence erupted in the Santirbazar market area of Kamalpur when TCS activists attempted to enforce the shutdown, leading to clashes with shopkeepers who resisted closing their businesses. The situation quickly deteriorated as a larger group of bandh supporters allegedly looted several shops. Traders organized a counter-resistance, resulting in further clashes and escalating violence.
Reports indicate that bandh supporters set a vehicle on fire inside the market. When firefighters arrived to extinguish the flames, their vehicle was also vandalized. Kamalpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Samudra Debbarma sustained head injuries after being struck by a brick. Salema Block Development Officer (BDO) Abhijit Majumdar was also attacked, his vehicle targeted, and he sustained head injuries. A trader, Biplab Deb, suffered a serious eye injury after being hit by a brick.
All injured officials and the trader were rescued by fire service personnel and taken to Kamalpur Bimal Sinha Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. Due to the severity of their injuries, BDO Abhijit Majumdar, Engineer Animesh Saha, and the injured trader were later transferred to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala.
Chief Minister Manik Saha strongly condemned the violence, calling the attacks "unacceptable". He directed the police to take strict action against the perpetrators. Saha visited the injured at GB Pant Hospital on Friday, October 24, and asserted that those involved in the attacks would not be spared.
The Dhalai District Magistrate and Collector, Vivek H.B., imposed a curfew for an indefinite period within the Kamalpur Sub-Division under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent danger to human life, public property, and peace. The order prohibits assemblies of more than four people, the carrying of weapons, provocative speeches, and other activities that could incite violence.
Normal life was disrupted throughout the state during the bandh, including train services, with at least ten trains being canceled or terminated. Picketers organized sit-in demonstrations at over 52 key locations and highways across the state to enforce the shutdown.
Tension remains high in the Kamalpur sub-division, with a large contingent of security forces, including the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), deployed to maintain order. Senior officials are closely monitoring the situation.
