Instead of assisting those affected by the violence which broke out in parts of the state, the police and the administration did not take timely action against perpetrators. “The anti-social elements and communal mischief mongers are emboldened by the belief that they will be shielded by the government. If timely action were taken, then maybe these incidents of violence and vandalism could have been prevented,” pointed out Salim Engineer, JIH vice-president.
While the delegation underscored that the VHP and the Bajrang Dal would not have been able to identify the Muslim-run establishments without local help, they maintained that the Hindus of the affected areas refused to be swayed by the hate campaign.
“If the VHP were sincere about protesting the attacks on Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh, it would have organised a protest outside the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala instead of attacking Muslims in the state,” added Hamid.
The delegation stayed in Tripura for three days and met the victims, the local population including non-Muslims. The team also tried to meet the chief minister and the Director General of Police of Tripura, but did not get the appointments.
