Agartala, July 16: In the early hours of Tuesday, three shops at Gandacherra market in Dhalai district of Tripura were gutted in a mysterious fire.

Initially, the local alleged that it was an inciednt of arson but later the administration claimed that the shops were caugh fire from an electric short circuit. 
Despite the deployment of a significant security force, fire in the three shops raised question.In response to the incident, a group of locals staged a protest near the market. As the area is under prohibitory orders, police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the agitators, resulting in several injuries.
Meanwhile, 374 people displaced by the ethnic violence on last Friday night, triggered by the death of a local youth, remain in a relief camp at Gandacherra Higher Secondary School. Some families are still unable to return to their homes due to fear.
The administration is facing widespread criticism for failing to take effective steps to address the issue and provide compensation to affected families.
Local residents allege that youths from two Bru resettlement camps at Ultacherra and North Kalajhari were involved in the arson. There is a growing demand among villagers for the relocation of these camps and the establishment of permanent camps of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) at strategic locations such as 12 Card, 36 Card, 30 Card, Bankar Ghat, Kalajhari, MR Das Para, Muslim Para, and Chowkidar Para.
Despite police’s assurance, tension continues to simmer in certain areas of Gandacherra, highlighting the urgent need for higher-level intervention to stabilize the situation and restore peace.