Agartala : In the wake of the recent violence in Tripura’s Gandatwisa which left several families homeless, DGP Amitabh Ranjan convened a state-level law and order meeting in the Dhalai district and instructed all the SPs to maintain strict vigil throughout the state.

The violence at Gandatwisa on July 12 had left over 80 families homeless due to arson following the death of a tribal youth in a clash between two groups in Dhalai district.

The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has already issued a notice to the DGP seeking details on actions taken by law enforcement to apprehend those responsible for widespread looting and arson of homes, shops, and markets.

During the meeting held on Wednesday at the SP office in Ambassa, Dhalai’s district headquarters, the DGP conducted a thorough analysis of the Gandatwisa turmoil, a senior officer said.

He commended the swift police response that brought the situation under control. Emphasising stringent measures against troublemakers, he stressed the need to maintain peace and tranquillity at all costs, advocating the judicious deployment of central forces and Tripura State Rifles.

The DGP instructed the SPs to remain alert as far as ethnic and communal issues are concerned and take necessary measures to prevent the situation from aggravating, the officer added.

DGP (Intelligence) Anurag Dhankar further underscored the need for meticulous handling of every situation leading up to the panchayat elections, stressing enhanced coordination among security personnel.

The Tripura Human Rights Commission served notices to DGP and Dhalai DM on violence in Gandatwisa earlier this month, and sought to know what action has been taken against those involved in arson and looting houses in the area.

The rights panel asked Director General of Police Amitabh Ranjan and Dhalai District Magistrate Saju Vaheed to submit their reports within three weeks. Many houses were looted and set on fire by a mob on July 12, following the death of a 19-year-old man in a clash between two groups in the Dhalai district.

“Before initiating a formal inquiry, the commission likes to ask for a report from the DGP, Tripura as to what action has been taken by the law enforcement agencies to nab the offenders of such gusty incident and whether any criminal case has been registered, and if so, under what penal sections and whether any miscreant has been arrested in connection with the alleged offence,” Tripura Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice S C Das said in the notice.

The rights panel also directed the DM, Dhalai district to inquire into the incident through the civil agency and to submit a report as to “what sorts of actions have been taken to rehabilitate the victims and to settle them in the same position before the alleged incident”.

“Inaction or negligence on the part of public servants in preventing the commission of violation of human rights is/are actionable and, therefore, the notices are issued to submit the preliminary report within three weeks for further course of action”, Justice Das said. The commission will take the matter on August 8.