Police are groping in dark into the investigation on brutal murder of a senior monk at a Buddhist monastery in Dhalai district of Tripura. The community members staged protests in several places over murder of Pragyadiptti Bhikku, 63, principal of Manugang Ban Vihar in Longtarai Valley subdivision, before dawn on Sunday.
“Officers are working to track down the assailants. Suspects are being questioned”, Dhalai district superintendent of police L. Darlong asserted on Monday. He however said no arrest has been made so far.
A forensic team and dog squad were sent from Agartala to the crime scene to make progress into the investigation. Several police officers including officer in charge of local police station are engaged in investigation under supervision of Mr. Darlong.
Pragyadiptti Bhikku was found dead in the bathroom of the monastery where new constructions were taking place. Sources said Bhikku had in his possession several lakh rupees received as donation from community members for the construction work.
Reports said police also questioned some inmates in the monastery. “This is a very sensitive case. I should not make any observation at this point of time”, Mr. Darlong said.
He claimed police will achieve breakthrough in the case in next two days. He added situation was under control in the area.
Meanwhile Buddhists in Tripura who mainly hail from Chakma and Mog tribes staged protests in different places to condemn the incident. They are also contemplating to organise a protest rally in Agartala.
“For the first time a monk has been murdered in Tripura. This is highly condemnable and deplorable”, Buddhist Bimanjyoti Khisa, a resident of Agartala, opined. He said he would go to Dhalai district to pay respect to slain monk or ‘Bhante’ in Chakma dialect.
Like Mr Khisa hundreds of Buddhist men and women are to attend funeral of Pragyadiptti Bhikku slated for Tuesday. Security has been tightened in and around Manugang Ban Vihar in view of memorial services.
