Agartala, Jan. 12: The Tripura PCC has launched an agitation against the displacement of people as a result of the construction of barbed wire fencing at NC Nagar, Indira Colony, Durgapur and Kulubari of Sonamura subdivision.
Smriti Ranjan Das, subdivisional police officer of Sonamura, described the situation as tense but under control. However, former Congress MLA and minority leader Billal Mia said tension was palpable in the four border villages. The residents of the area are not ready to move out of their ancestral homes without sufficient compensation.
Last Sunday, 30 people were injured in a police lathicharge at NC Nagar in Sonamura subdivision while protesting against the barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
“The people did not oppose the fencing. However, they are demanding sufficient compensation for their homes and land,” Mia said.
The PCC had taken up the issue following a visit to NC Nagar by Congress MLA Sudip Roy-Barman and Intuc leader Dipak Roy.
After primary discussions, Congress leaders including Ratanlal Nath, reached Sonamura yesterday and launched the agitation in front of the subdivisional office.
Anindya Bhattacharya, subdivisional officer of Sonamura had made extensive security arrangements. Despite regular bouts of brickbatting, police maintained its cool and finally resorted to a water cannon to disperse the gathering comprising 500-odd people.
The protesters, including Nath, were stopped while heading for trouble-torn NC Nagar area. More than 200 Congress workers and leaders including Nath were arrested and later released.
Official sources here said the agitation had actually been launched by “smugglers and transborder criminals”. However, they agreed with the opposition regarding the issue of compensation and blamed the Union home ministry for its refusal to sanction funds.
“We had asked for Rs 93 crore but the Centre has given us nothing,” sources said.
“When the Union home ministry refused our proposal, we proposed that the state would bear 25 per cent of expenses for compensation and Centre should give 75 per cent but the ministry did not respond,” sources said.
They added that chief minister Manik Sarkar would raise the issue afresh with the Union home minister Shivraj Patil.
