An inmate of a Reang refugee camp in North district of Tripura allegedly committed suicide after being caught fishing illegally from the pond of a villager, triggering protests which left seven police personnel injured and 22 houses burnt.
North district superintendent of police Manik Das said the trouble began four days ago when an inmate of Narsingpara camp in Kanchanpur sub-division was caught catching fish illegally from the pond of a person at a nearby village.
The 32-year-old man was beaten up by the pond's owner and fellow villagers. He was admitted to the Kanchanpur hospital with injuries and was released from there last Friday.
On Sunday morning, he allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree. A note found on him said no one was responsible for his death.
On hearing the news of his death, camp inmates attacked the pond owner's house and neighbours yesterday and torched 22 houses.
When the police reached there, the mob pelted stones injuring seven personnel. The situation has now been brought under control and a huge contingent of police have been deployed in the area, the SP said.
About 100 local residents have taken shelter in nearby safer places. Senior police officials were camping at the spot to avert any untoward situation, he added.
In all 37,000 Reang refugees are staying in seven evacuee camps in Kanchanpur sub-division following ethnic clashes with the Mizos over possession of land since 1997. They fled from neighbouring Mizoram and took shelter in the evacuee camps.
