Agartala: A protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Saturday, leaving 18 police personnel injured, including Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jayanta Karmakar.
Authorities have arrested eight individuals for their alleged involvement in the violence.
The protest, organised by the ‘Joint Movement Committee’ led by Congress’ Unakoti district president Md Badruzzaman, saw around 4,000 participants rallying in the Kubjar area to demand the rollback of the contentious Act.
Kailashahar police station officer-in-charge Sukanta Sen Chowdhury reported that tensions escalated when a scuffle broke out between protesters and security forces.
“The situation spiraled out of control as agitators began pelting stones and bottles at law enforcement personnel, injuring at least 18 officers, including the SDPO,” he said.
To disperse the crowd, police resorted to lathi charges and fired tear gas shells. An FIR has been filed regarding the attack, and investigations are ongoing.
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At a press conference later, Md Badruzzaman insisted the rally was intended to be peaceful.
“A group with vested interests incited violence to tarnish our movement’s image. However, we will continue to demand the rollback of the Waqf (Amendment) Act,” he stated.
Further developments are awaited as investigations proceed.
