The Tripura government has ordered an investigation into an incident of assault of two students at the hostel of the State’s first higher education school. The State’s Tribal Welfare Minister, Bikash Debbarma, on Monday visited the Umakanta Academy, which was founded in 1890 by King Bir Chandra Manikya, and told the students in the higher classes not to indulge in ragging or physical assault in future.
Parents of one of the two assaulted students had lodged a complaint with the West Agartala Police Station against three students in their higher classes. They alleged that the incident of physical assault and verbal abuse of three junior students occurred recently after they refused to get liquor from a marketplace.
The school, named after a Bengali Minister of the royal court, Umakanta Das, now has an English branch. The victim students from junior classes are studying in the English medium.
The hostel houses only tribal students, and they are given free accommodation and meals. The general school and its English branch, however, are open to all communities.
Mr. Debbarma, along with officials, visited the school and hostel to inquire about the allegations first-hand. He said untoward incidents of such nature undermined the legacy of the school, which has produced laurels over the decades.
He warned that the government would act strictly should there be a repetition of such an incident. He directed the hostel warden and guards to be vigilant.
The Minister said that the incident was now under investigation.
Published – July 01, 2025 12:40 am IST
