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✍️ Anupam Pal
Kailashahar, Unakoti Tripura
The prime accused, Juber Ahmed (Shimu), involved in the communal tension triggered by the arson at Kailashahar’s Yuvrajnagar Jama Masjid on October 16 last year, remains at large. Reports suggest that the accused frequently crosses the India-Bangladesh international border to seek refuge in Bangladesh and returns when police activity subsides.
Juber Ahmed (Shimu), a resident of Ward No. 4, Maguruli Gram Panchayat under Gournagar RD Block, has been spotted roaming freely despite pending cases against him. Local residents fear that the accused might once again incite communal tension.
During the incidents of October last year, communal tension in various areas of Kailashahar had escalated significantly. Following the arson at the mosque, there was an attempt to vandalize a Kali temple in Baburbazar. The situation became so critical that MLA Birjit Sinha and Vice Chairman of Gournagar Panchayat Samiti, Badruzzaman, had to actively guard the area to maintain peace.
Later, the Irani police station organized a peace meeting to restore normalcy. However, the failure to apprehend the prime accused has raised concerns about a potential recurrence of unrest in the area.
Locals allege that despite being seen roaming openly in Agartala, the state capital, and the Irani Bazaar, the police have not arrested Shimu. This inaction has left residents living in fear. They believe that the accused’s provocative actions could once again threaten the peace and harmony of Kailashahar.
Some locals, speaking anonymously, urged the administration to promptly arrest the accused. They emphasized the need for strict punishment to ensure communal harmony. Furthermore, they called for a more proactive approach by the local administration and police in maintaining peace.
To prevent the shadow of communal unrest from looming over a peaceful place like Kailashahar, cooperation between the administration and the public is essential. The law enforcement agencies must take a more active role in avoiding the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future.
