In a disturbing incident of mob violence, a man was allegedly lynched to death in Tripura's Dhalai district on suspicion of stealing vegetables. The incident occurred during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday in Chitresen Karbari Para, near the Manu River and close to the Manu Rail Bridge.
According to preliminary reports, a group of farmers caught the unidentified man red-handed while he was allegedly stealing vegetables from a cultivated plot leased to them. Enraged, the farmers reportedly assaulted him brutally, resulting in his death at the scene.
On Wednesday morning, locals discovered the man's lifeless body and immediately informed the Manu police station. Police officers from Manu police station, along with the SDPO of Longtarai Valley subdivision, rushed to the scene with a forensic team. The body was recovered and sent to the hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The landowner of the field stated that he was informed about the incident around 7:30 AM. Upon arriving at the location, he found the lifeless body and was told by others present that the man had been caught stealing and was severely beaten by local farmers.
Although the deceased's identity is still unknown, a woman who sells vegetables at Manu railway station claimed she saw the man selling vegetables near the station late Tuesday night until around 9 PM. She suggested that railway police personnel may have additional information regarding his identity.
The Manu police have not released an official statement, but a case of extra-judicial killing has been registered. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the assault. The incident has triggered outrage in the area, with growing concerns over rising mob justice and the breakdown of legal processes in such cases.
