By TC News Desk
Agartala, 3rd May 2025: Tensions are running high in Pecharthal as traders from the Machmara Bazar Committee staged a protest demanding strict action against those responsible for the brutal assault on their colleague former market secretary Uttam Kumar Roy.
Roy, who also serves as a member of the Machmara Bazar Committee was allegedly beaten by Sujit Sarkar, president of Kisan Morcha 59-Pecharthal Mandal along with his brother Suraj Sarkar and their associate Amal Sarkar. The assault reportedly took place in Ugalchhara area while Roy was attempting to collect pending dues.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attack was severe, involving kicks, punches and sharp weapons. Prabir Sarkar, an 80-year-old local resident was also injured while attempting to intervene. “I couldn’t just stand by and watch. But they turned on me too,” said Prabir Sarkar.
Roy was initially rushed to Machmara Primary Health Center, then shifted to Unakoti District Hospital at Kailashahar and GB Hospital in Agartala before being shifted to Rabindranath Tagore Hospital in Mukundapur, Kolkata for advanced treatment. His condition remains critical.
The Pecharthal Police Station initially arrested Sujit Sarkar but released him within hours, triggering outrage among local traders. Today, 25 members of the Machmara Bazar Committee submitted a deputation to police station OC Suman Acharjee, expressing their frustration over the lack of decisive action.
“We cannot accept that the accused is roaming free despite such a serious crime. If the administration fails to take strict action, we will intensify our protests,” said a trader who participated in the deputation.
The traders warned that failure to deliver justice would lead to larger demonstrations in the coming days. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
