Eight injured in Tripura mob attack

At least eight people, including three policemen, were injured when mob attacked government and ruling CPI-M offices in Tripura and clashed with police over delay in payment of wages under the rural jobs scheme.

The incident took place in Unakoti district forcing the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) to open fire to disperse the mob, police said.

"A violent mob attacked a block development office, a police station and a CPI-M office at Pecharthal, injuring three police officials, a CPI-M leader and three other people," a police official said.

The official said the attack came after the mob got agitated over the delay in payment of daily wages of works done under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

"When the mob turned violent, the TSR and other security forces led by senior police officials have rushed to the spot and opened fire to scatter the mob," the officials said, adding that another person was shot at in the firing.

The medical condition of sub-divisional police officer Prasenjit Ghosh was stated to be critical.

A district official said the central government has changed the method of disbursement of money to MGNREGA workers resulting slight delay in wage payment.

Meanwhile, the CPI-M condemned the attack.