Agartala, January 02, 2026: A night guard was brutally assaulted in the early hours of Thursday when a gang of masked miscreants attempted a daring break-in at a vacant house in Churaibari. The victim, identified as Kritish Rajbongshi (38), narrowly escaped with his life and is currently undergoing treatment at North District Hospital.

According to local sources, around 1 a.m., four to five assailants—faces covered and armed with sharp weapons—broke into the residence of Rupak Deb Roy (45) in Ward No. 3 of Churaibari Gram Panchayat. The house was unoccupied at the time, as the owner had travelled with his family to his ancestral home in Khowai district on December 30.

Rajbongshi, who had been entrusted with guarding the property, was first restrained and then mercilessly beaten. Initially attacked by three men, the assault intensified when two more joined in. He sustained severe head injuries after being struck with sharp weapons. Bleeding heavily, he managed to break through the tin boundary and flee to a neighbouring house, raising an alarm.

Startled by his cries, locals rushed to the spot, forcing the gang to flee. Fire service personnel, alerted by residents, rescued the injured guard and shifted him to Kadamtala Social Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was referred to Dharmanagar District Hospital, where he remains under treatment.

Rajbongshi later stated that the attackers were clad in black cloth covering their faces and bodies, making identification impossible in the darkness.

Churaibari police station staff reached the site soon after the incident and began an investigation. On Friday morning, hundreds of residents gathered again, demanding swift action. Attempts were made to access CCTV footage from the house, but technical issues prevented immediate viewing. Authorities are now examining footage from neighbouring homes.

The incident has heightened fears among locals, who allege that a series of thefts and attempted robberies have plagued the Churaibari police station area in recent months. Residents claim that vacant houses are increasingly becoming prime targets, raising serious questions about law and order.

Community members voiced frustration, asking: “How long will this hide-and-seek between thieves and police continue?”

Residents are demanding not just investigation but permanent security measures and stricter surveillance. Many fear that without decisive action, a major tragedy could occur at any time.