Agartala, 9th October 2026 : In a shocking incident that has raised questions about humanity and social responsibility, a small shop owned by Jewel Das, a physically challenged young man from Vivekananda Nagar in Ambassa, was allegedly burgled and set on fire by unidentified miscreants in the early hours of Thursday.
The incident reportedly took place around 2.45 am to 3 am, destroying the shop and the goods stocked inside. Das, who had established the business to become self-reliant and support his family, has suffered a devastating setback as his sole source of livelihood was reduced to ashes.
According to local residents, some merchandise was found scattered a short distance from the shop, raising suspicions that the establishment was burgled before being set ablaze. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the identities of those responsible remain unclear.
Das, who lives with a physical disability, had started the small business with the support of his family and gradually expanded it through hard work. His father, a retired police officer, had set up the shop specifically to help his son earn a living independently.
A local resident expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating that Das had never sought government assistance and had instead chosen to work hard to support his family. He also has a son to care for.
Describing the incident as a cruel blow to a young man striving for self-reliance, the resident appealed to the local community to stand beside Das during this difficult time. He said efforts should be made to explore ways to help the family recover from the loss.
Das’s father said his son had closed the shop and returned home at around 8 pm to 8.30 pm on Wednesday. In the early hours of Thursday, neighbours alerted the family after noticing the fire. Das rushed outside upon hearing the calls, only to find his shop engulfed in flames.
“Everything is gone. Everything is finished. There is nothing left,” his father said, describing the extent of the devastation.
The incident has triggered concerns over the safety of small businesses and the vulnerability of people struggling to achieve financial independence. For Das, the destruction represents not merely the loss of merchandise but also the collapse of years of effort to build a dignified and self-reliant life.
The family now faces an uncertain future, with local well-wishers urging people to extend support to help Das rebuild his livelihood.
