A combing operation in Agartala. Picture by Eastern projections

Agartala, Nov. 12: More than 100 tribal families have been forced to flee their homes in two South Tripura villages since yesterday after militants went on a rampage in retaliation against the killing of an area commander last week.

A large group of armed militants belonging to the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) attacked Dhanraipara and Kasalongpara villages yesterday morning, beat up more than 30 men and women and even raped nine teenagers. After hounding out the terror-stricken villagers, the militants set 12 houses on fire.

Sources said at least 50 families have taken shelter in and around Taidu police station of South Tripura while others have sought refuge in the houses of relatives in nearby areas.

Nagendra Jamatya, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) legislator representing the affected villages that fall under his tribal reserve Ampi constituency, has visited the area. “The displaced people have been living under trees without food and water because the administration has not provided any relief to them as yet,” he said.

A source from Ampi block said on Wednesday, a combined force of police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawans killed NLFT area commander Bichitra Jamatya in an encounter at Dhanraipara. At least three militants were injured in the encounter.

The militants had fled the spot but returned early yesterday and swooped on the villagers. “Apparently they thought that the residents of Dhanraipara and Kasalongpara had betrayed them by disclosing their whereabouts to the police. This is the reason behind the attack,” a source said.

The militants threatened the villagers with dire consequences if the police attacked them again. They also demanded that the villagers provide them with food and shelter.

K.J. Jamatya, block development officer (BDO), said relief in the form of ration and kerosene along with financial assistance have been provided to the 50 families that have taken shelter in and around the Taidu area. “The police and TSR jawans are continuing their operations. We hope that soon the entire NLFT gang will be driven out of the jungles close to the Dhanrai and Kasalong villages,” he said.

Militants have displaced more than 40,000 tribals from the interior areas either for non-cooperation or political allegiance to the CPM.

Senior police officials here, however, said an action plan is being drawn up to cope with the renewed offensive of the banned outfit.