M A I N   N E W S

16 killed in Tripura
Flag march staged, red alert sounded

AGARTALA, Nov 19 (UNI) — Tripura turned into a virtual killing field today as 16 tribesmen and non-tribesmen were mowed down in terrorist and ethnic violence at Kanchanpur in North Tripura.

However, unofficial sources put the toll at 18 while PTI put it at14.

In an orgy of violence, armed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) ultras swooped down on Barahaldi village under Kanchanpur police station early in the morning and started pumping bullets indiscriminately, killing seven on the spot. The slain included women and children, official sources said.

Five persons, who sustained serious wounds, were shifted to hospital, where one succumbed to his injuries.

The armed NLFT militants, before leaving the spot, also set afire a large number of houses in the mixed populated areas.

In retaliation, a non-tribal mob pounced upon a tribal villages and slaughtered eight tribesmen, and injured several.

The mob also torched several houses. Of the eight tribesmen killed, three were burnt alive during the arson. The police had recovered all eight bodies.

A red alert had been sounded in North Tripura district, sources said adding that the state government had asked the security forces, including the paramilitary forces, to maintain strict vigil and take measures to prevent the recurrence of such violence in fresh areas.

An indefinite curfew had been promulgated in Kanchanpur.

The Assam Rifles, the CRPF and other security forces took out a flag march in the violence-hit areas.

A riot-like situation prevailed in the area, which was already tense after the ethnic violence on Wednesday.

Senior police officials were camping and closely monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar held a high-level meeting with senior police and civil officials and reviewed the latest situation. Mr Sarkar, who also held the Home portfolio, had asked the security officials to take all efforts to nab the militants and culprits.

Mr Sarkar said today’s massacre was a pre-planned one and committed with a view to disturbing the peace and tranquility in the state.

He said such incidents were being committed to divert the attention of the people from the achievements of the security forces against extremists and to foment ethnic feelings.

Mr Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio, said it was an attempt to keep the security forces pre-occupied rather than allowing them to intensify their operations against extremists.

Meanwhile the ruling CPM-led Left Front has called a protest demonstration tomorrow to protest against the massacre.