Author:
Publication: Deccan Herald
Date: March 20, 2004
With political parties and the civil
administration showing no inclination to rehabilitate them, some victims
of terrorist attacks do not want to stay on in India
After suffering six months of depression
at refugee camp in Sadar North of West Tripura, Mangal Sarkar, an trader
and resident of Simna village, Agartala finally left the country.
Even after about a year the poor
villagers could not forget the brutal scene of carnage on the ill-fated
night of May 6, 2003. Militants of the outlawed All Tripura Tiger Force
(ATTF) killed 21 innocent non-tribals including three minors and six women
in Simna Kalibari village and set ire to all the houses.
All 33 families of the remote hamlet
(39 kilometres from the town) including that of Mangal's, were evacuated
form the area and took shelter in nearby government institutions as each
and every house was burnt down. Despite government commitment the villagers
could not be absorbed in public service. No rehabilitation and help was
extended for their survival.
"I got only Rs. 15000 other than
my medical expanses. My husband was killed in the incident and I had three
bullets injuries", said Niyati Sarkar. Niyati lost five family members
in the incident and becomes virtually handicapped and could not recover
the use of her bullet-riddled right arm. She said no political party, individual
or civil administration had visited the area or come forward to help the
victims during all these days.
Niyati is now living in Kalibari
(Goddess Kali temple) with one-and-half-year-old Swapna, daughter of her
brother-in-law who died along with his wife in the incident. Both are now
dependent on her nephew Tapan Sarkar. Tapan lost his parents, sister and
uncle, and now works as a day-labourer.
Tapan told Deccan Herald that following
tremendous hardship and poverty, Mangal Sarkar left Tripura with his family
and settled down about 20 kilometres away form Simna across the border
in Bangladesh in January. "Mangal visited the area in March first week
and now he is running dry fish business in Bangladesh," he said.
According to him about six other
families of neighbouring villages left the country and settled down across
the border due to inadequate security and lack of opportunities to earn
a living.
