Tension prevailed in the Pekuchhara area under Panisagar subdivision after a vehicle making public announcements for a local Waz Mehfil (a traditional Islamic religious and cultural seminar) was allegedly stopped and attacked by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
According to local accounts, on December 23, the vehicle was moving through the area to announce details of the upcoming programme when it was intercepted.
The occupants of the vehicle were allegedly assaulted, leading to panic in the locality. Those attacked by the VHP have been identified as Abdul Malik, Tasleem Uddin, and Maulana Junaid Ahmed.
Maktoob tried to reach out to the Imam of the masjid holding the Waz Mehfil, but he refused to comment. However, the identity of the attackers is still unknown.
Panisagar police and SDM Sushanta Debbarma rushed to the scene immediately. With joint efforts from police and administrative officials, the situation was quickly brought under control.
Speaking to Maktoob Media, an eyewitness, Maulana Habib ur Rahman, said, “The attack was unprovoked and targeted those involved in organising and promoting the religious event.”
He said, “There were at least 15 people who came in a vehicle bearing VHP flags and started thrashing the driver, the person making the announcement, and the maulana. They were brutally beaten.”
A local newspaper, Tripura Times, reported the incident, calling the announcement an “unauthorised activity” and stating that locals confronted the individuals in the vehicle, questioning why announcements were being made without “administrative approval”.
However, Rahman claimed that no such permission is required to make public announcements.
“The mainstream has not reported the incident correctly. No permission is needed to make any public announcements. The occupants were beaten up so badly, that too by people who hold no authority,” he added.
The incident disrupted normal movement in the area for some time and raised concerns over the safety of Muslim gatherings and the freedom to conduct community programmes.
Following the incident, residents expressed fear and anger, alleging that the attack was aimed at intimidating Muslims. The condition of those assaulted was not immediately known.
There was no immediate official statement from the police on whether any arrests had been made or if an FIR had been registered. Calls made to the police by Maktoob went unanswered.
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