Agartala, 11th July 2026: Shock and unrest gripped the Hirachhara ADC Village under Irani Police Station after the body of a 16-year-old schoolgirl was found hanging in a forested area on Saturday morning.
The deceased, identified as Zubaida Begum, a Class X student of Barakhala School and resident of Ward No. 5, Purba Irani Panchayat, had gone missing the previous day after leaving home for school. Her family lodged a missing complaint at Irani Police Station when she failed to return.
Around 9 a.m., a plantation worker found her body hanging from a tree nearly 700 meters inside the jungle. Police, led by Second Officer Srikanta Chakraborty, recovered the body, which was later identified by her grieving family. Relatives alleged foul play, claiming Zubaida was murdered and then hung to conceal evidence. They pointed to blood marks on her feet as suspicious.
The incident triggered outrage among locals, who blocked roads demanding a thorough investigation and immediate arrests within 24 hours. Residents also criticized inadequate security in the area, despite the presence of an SPO camp, and urged authorities to establish a permanent TSR camp.
Police and administration intervened to lift the blockade, and the body was sent to Unakoti District Hospital for post-mortem. Officials stated that the cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy, but tension remains high in the region following the mysterious death.
