Tension in Badarpur after locals resist PFI's rally; Karimganj Police said protesters were "outsiders"; 144 clamped

A group of people who identified themselves as members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) organised a protest rally in Badarpur’s Bundashil area under the jurisdiction of Karimganj. The rally was organised as a mark of protest against the alleged communal violence in Tripura which happens to share inter-state borders with Karimganj.

As the rally reached the Bundashil area, the local Muslims came out in large numbers and resisted the rally. The member of the Gaon Panchayat said that outsiders have come to Bundashil and are defaming the localities by raising provocative and defamatory slogans. The verbal duel between the groups intensified and that is when, DSP Headquarters, Karimganj Police rushed to the spot to take riot controlling measures.

The DSP first separated the locals and urged them to return to their respective households. Then he asked the protesters about their locality and most of them said they are from the Kalain area. They had gathered in Badarpur and then started their procession against the alleged violence in Tripura. They raised slogans against the Tripura Government and chief minister Biplab Deb.

The DSP Headquarter Karimganj Police confirmed that the protesters identified themselves as members of PFI. 32 of the protesters were detained for demonstration without permission. After six hours they were released from the Badarpur Police Station. DSP Headquarter said that there was a conflict between the PFI protesters and the residents of the Bundashil area due to which the officials had to intervene.

The PFI members, on the other hand, said that their detention was unlawful and against the very essence of democracy. “Our Nabi is being abused openly and they want us to take permission to protest against such heinous act? The time has come for all of us to unite and stay together in our protest. We need to issue a strong warning making it clear that we won’t accept when our prophet is abused and insulted,” said a PFI member while delivering a speech after they were released.

Taking the incidents into account, the deputy commissioner of Karimganj district, Khageshwar Pegu clamped 144. “Whereas, due to the recent incident in Bangladesh and Tripura as reported in the media, there is an ample apprehension of breach of public peace and tranquillity, loss of human life and property due to public gathering for the aforementioned purpose. Therefore, in the exercise of the power conferred upon me U/S 144 Cr.P.C. I, KHAGESWAR PEGU, ACS, Dist. Magistrate, karimganj do hereby promulgate the prohibitory order,” stated the order issued by deputy commissioner, Karimganj’s office.

“No procession / rally / dharna / distribution of leaflets / banners and posters etc. attracting breach of public peace & tranquillity will be allowed in the Karimganj District,” stated the order.

“This order is passed ex-parte in the interest of public peace and tranquillity and shall remain in force until further order. Any violation of the above order shall invite legal action Under Section 188 of IPC,” added the order.