Agartala: The massacre in Pahalgam that shook the nation has left deep scars across Tripura, where mourning quickly gave way to rage. In a series of fast-unfolding events, the state witnessed mass protests, road blockades, and the arrest of four individuals over controversial social media posts that allegedly hurt religious sentiments.
The spark was lit in Kulai’s Thakurpalli area under Ambassa Police Station, where Jahar Debnath, a retired school teacher, posted a series of Facebook posts referencing the brutal killing of 26 Hindu tourists by Pakistani terrorists in Pahalgam. In his posts, Debnath questioned the role of Hindu deities during the massacre and made remarks that many local Hindus found offensive and intolerable.
The backlash was swift. Outraged Hindu groups mobilised across Ambassa, demanding strict action. On April 25, police detained Jahar Debnath along with Kuldeep Mondal, who had allegedly helped circulate the posts. As anger spilt onto the streets, large groups of Hindu men and women blocked the Ambassa-Kamalpur road for hours, demanding exemplary punishment.
Responding to public pressure, the Ambassa Police Station officials registered non-bailable cases against the duo under Sections 152 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 56(A) of the Information Technology Act.
While speaking with Ukhrul Times, Officer-In-Charge of Ambassa Police Station Nandan Das confirmed, “Both were remanded to jail custody till April 30 by the Dhalai District Court.”
Meanwhile, in Dharmanagar, another controversy erupted when retired school headmaster and CPI(M) leader Sajal Chakraborty allegedly posted derogatory comments against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Following a complaint lodged by Mohanta Nath, a resident of Madhya Nayapara area in Dharmanagar, police swiftly arrested Chakraborty under Sections 196, 352, and 353 of the BNS. Tensions heightened further when unidentified individuals reportedly vandalised Chakraborty’s residence, believed to be linked to outrage over his remarks.
In a separate incident in Kadamtala area, fire service employee Mohammad Mansur Ali found himself in police custody after sharing a disrespectful post featuring distorted images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma. Following a complaint from members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Ali was arrested, and an official case was registered against him.
The tense situation also spread to Udaipur, where the Hindu Jagaran Manch staged protests outside R.K. Pur Police Station demanding the arrest of two individuals — Javed Hussain of Agartala and Samid Miah of Maharani area — for allegedly making objectionable comments against Goddess Tripura Sundari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, respectively. Written complaints were lodged, with protestors setting a 24-hour ultimatum for police action.
Community leaders have called for restraint, urging citizens not to indulge in provocative posts during such emotionally charged times. Ajay Adhikari, a Sanatani leader from Ambassa, said, “When 26 of our Hindu brothers and sisters have been brutally murdered based on their faith, any insult towards our gods and religious sentiments cannot be tolerated. We thank the police for swift action, but appeal to everyone to maintain dignity and respect during national mourning.”
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However, looking at the seriousness of the situation and growing controversial social media posts, Tripura Police issued a public notice stating that certain individuals are circulating provocative, misleading messages on social media. The police warn citizens that provocative social media posting or forwarding, sharing or creating such content will be treated as an offence under the law and legal action will be taken against them for such activities.