Agartala, Aug 11: Tripura has been jolted by two back-to-back incidents where parents allegedly killed their infant daughters — one in Sonamura on Sunday morning, and another in Khowai just a day earlier. Police say both cases appear to be linked to deep-rooted family disputes and, in one case, gender bias.
The latest incident took place in Rampada Para ADC Village under Sonamura subdivision, where 28-year-old Suchitra Debbarma allegedly suffocated her five-month-old daughter, Rimi, by pressing a pillow over her face. According to police, the crime was committed inside the family’s home in the early hours of Sunday.
While speaking with Ukhrul Times Officer-in-Charge of Sonamura Police Station Tapash Das said, “Preliminary investigation suggests the mother killed the child under the instigation of another person,”.
“We have registered a murder case on the basis of a complaint filed by the deceased child’s grandfather, Nani Debbarma. Our team is working to identify and arrest any accomplices,” Das confirmed.
Sources familiar with the matter allege Suchitra was involved in an extramarital relationship with her husband’s uncle, which had created ongoing tensions in the household. The child’s father, Amit Debbarma, reportedly refused to accept Rimi as his own, leading to prolonged domestic discord. Neighbours informed police after learning of the incident later in the day.
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This killing came less than 36 hours after another child’s death in Tulashikhar, Khowai district. In that case, Rathiendra Debbarma, a jawan of Tripura State Rifles’ 10th Battalion, is accused of poisoning his one-year-old daughter.
According to his wife, Mitali Debbarma, Rathiendra took the child to a nearby shop on Saturday night, saying he would get her a treat. She alleged that he mixed poison into a cold drink before giving it to her. “When they returned, my daughter started vomiting. I could smell medicine on her breath,” Mitali told reporters, claiming her husband then assaulted her and fled with the child.
The girl was taken to Khowai District Hospital and then referred to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala, where doctors declared her dead. Mitali alleged her husband had been abusive for years because she had given birth to a girl instead of a boy.
The news of the child’s death sparked outrage at GB Pant Hospital, where locals confronted the accused jawan. Private security guards detained him to prevent mob violence until GB Police Outpost officers arrived.
Sub-Inspector of GB Police Outpost Raju Baidya confirmed, “We took the accused into custody and shifted him to Champahour Police Station. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.”
Police investigations in both cases are ongoing.