Agartala, June 25 :     Traders are bearing the brunt of the ethnic conflict in the Teliamura area of West Tripura district. Groups of tribals looted at least five shops owned by non-tribals over the past three days. Goons also ransancked a cooperative society at Mungiabari and made off with cash and valuables worth Rs 2 lakh. In another incident yesterday, a group of tribal women made an abortive attempt to loot a goods-laden truck at Atharomura on the Assam-Agartala highway. Militants have directed tribals not to sell bamboo to non-tribals, triggering a breakdown in inter-community trade in the area. On Thursday, a group of tribals went to the Central Reserve Police Force camp at Chakmaghat and complained that non-tribal traders had refused to sell them their wares. The CRPF personnel later assaulted a group of non-tribals in the local market. A source said tribals were losing out on money due to the militant-imposed ban on sale of bamboo to non-tribals. 'The hatred between the two communities is so intense that non-tribals would rather buy something at a higher price from someone of their ilk than go to a tribal trader,' he said. Wary of being taken to task by militants, tribals have also stopped going to markets where the majority of shops are owned by non-tribals. 'A group of All-Tripura Tiger Force militants led by Jiyon Debbarma is keeping vigil on tribals in the Teliamura area. No one would dare to violate the rebels' diktat, irrespective of the necessity,' an official said. Apprehending an outbreak of violence, district magistrate (west) Manish Kumar has announced an indefinite dusk-to-dawn curfew in Chakmaghat. Official sources said the situation in the area was tense, but under control. However, the people do not appear to be comfortable with the presence of CRPF personnel. After the assault on non-tribals on Thursday, a large group of people congregated in front of the deputy collector's office and demanded that the CRPF camp in Chakmaghat be shifted elsewhere.