Agartala, May 13, 2025: Panic gripped the Tripura’s Dhupmali Bazar area of Khumulwng late Monday night after gunshots rang out leaving two people injured including a tom-tom driver and a retired Assam Rifles soldier. The incident has sent shockwaves through the quiet locality prompting a swift police response.
The two injured ex-soldier Harikumar Debbarma and driver Bidhu Kumar Debbarma were rushed to GBP Hospital for treatment. A case has been filed against a local youth Shahid Debbarma, who is accused of firing the shots using a 9mm pistol.
Speaking to this correspondent from his hospital bed, Harikumar recounted the horrifying moments. “I was sitting in my grocery shop when two intoxicated youths, including Shahid Debbarma, came and ordered me to shut the shop. One of them struck me on the head with a slingshot, and then Shahid pulled out a pistol and started threatening me,” he said.
According to Harikumar, the attackers were enraged that the shop was still open. “I’ve never seen anything like this in Dhupmali Bazar. In all these years, there has never been a shooting here,” he added.
Eyewitnesses reported that tom-tom driver Bidhu Kumar Debbarma, who was standing nearby, was hit in the leg by a stray bullet when Shahid opened fire.
The gunfire caused widespread panic among residents, many of whom rushed out of their homes in fear. Police arrived at the scene soon after the incident and launched an investigation.
“We’ve registered a case and are conducting a thorough probe. The accused fled the scene, but we are working on leads,” a senior police official confirmed.
