No Let-Up in Attacks on Muslim Properties, Say Reports Coming from Tripura

New Delhi, 23 Oct 2021 [Fik/News Sources]: Anti-Muslim violence that began in the northeastern state of Tripura on Thursday continued even on Friday. Reports coming from the state indicate that Hindu right-wing mobs are running amok, attacking mosques and Muslims’ homes and shops.

Local sources said that on Friday a mob attacked a mosque in Palbazar (Ratacherra) Unakoti district. The visuals of the post-attack scene show wares littered around on the mosque floor.

Right-wing groups are alleged to have attacked and vandalised at least seven mosques in different areas across the state.

“Immediately after the violence in Bangladesh, on 15 October, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Yuva Vahini and RSS took out rallies across Tripura and attacked Muslim establishments, shops and mosques,” said Shafiq ur Rahman, an activist in the state who is associated with Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India.

He said on Thursday night the mob attacked the house of a Muslim advocate Abdul Basit and also set on fire a mosque where Muslims working in Central Reserve Police Force pray. According to Rahman, the rioters also threw wine bottles inside the mosque.

The Hindu right-wing supporters are protesting against the violence in Bangladesh where Hindu temples and shrines were targeted by Muslims following allegations of desecration of the Holy Quran on October 13.

Since then, right-wing groups in northeastern states are exhorting people to take revenge against Muslims.

“If they kill one in Bangladesh, we will kill five in Assam,” said a leader of the Hindu extremist outfit Bajrang Dal. “What happened to Muslims (Rohingya) in Myanmar, we will do much worse in Assam and India.”

In Tripura’s Gomati district, supporters of VHP clashed with police on Thursday during protests which reportedly left 12 people including three cops injured. The police had imposed Section 144 and denied them permission to hold protests in view of deteriorating law and order but 200 VHP men came out on roads following which police used “mild force” to disperse them.

Videos that surfaced on social media show hundreds of people marching in the dark carrying torches in their hands as they shout ‘jai shree Ram’ slogans.

On Thursday, after the mobs stormed the house of Advocate Basit when the family was not there and ransacked whatever came their way.

“Goons from Vishwa Hindu Parishad broke into my house and destroyed everything including the TV, laptop and wardrobes,” Advocate Basit, who is now staying at a different residence in the city, said, adding that he has filed a police complaint but there has been no response so far.

Basit believes he was targeted due to his Muslim identity and his association with the Trinamool Congress. “They targetted me because I am a Muslim but more so because I support Trinamool.”

The goons also attacked the home of a top Muslim businessman Abdul Mannan in Kailashahar, Unakoti, Rahman alleged, adding that the vandals placed a Bagwa flag on the gate of the home when they left.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, Student Islamic Organisation of India expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Tripura demanding halt in violence and action against the culprits. “It seems the VHP crowds that were protesting against anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh are turning to violence against Muslims in Tripura,” the SIO said in a statement. “The chief minister and state administration seems to be completely ignoring this outbreak, even as they appease the Hindutva forces with incendiary statements.”