No Mosque Was Burnt in Panisagar (Tripura), Dilapidated Structure Stood Abandoned for 15 Years, Says Report

The CRPF built a mosque and a temple in Panisagar (Tripura) in 1982, but the 'mosque' is lying abandoned for the last 15 years. Some CRPF personnel used it only for prayers.

Startling revelations have come to light about the alleged arson in a mosque in Tripura's Panisagar on October 21.

An investigation by news website The New Indian has revealed that what is claimed to be a mosque by Islamists was a dilapidated structure that was lying abandoned for the last 15 years.

It was built by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 1982 when 94 CRPF was posted in the area. Some CRPF personnel used it for prayer.

The building has been lying abandoned for the last 15 years since 94 CRPF left the area.

"For several years, CRPF used to hold their prayers at both of these places. Ever since the CRPF vacated these places 15 years ago, while we managed the temple shrine, the mosque was abandoned. No loudspeakers, no namaz prayers were ever read. One man had died here two years ago. No body visits this place. Plus, if this mosque was set on fire, how come no family here ever called fire brigade service or rushed out of their homes to call cops. It's a forest area. These charges are fake and after though," The New Indian quoted Bidhu Bhushan Nath, a local, who conducts pooja at the temple.

The complainant filed the FIR 21 days after the alleged incident. The FIR does not mention about burning of any Quran or the burning of any mosque.

The fact-finding report by the North Tripura Police refutes many verbal claims of complainant Abdul Basit.

"Quran was not burnt. Since it was an old structure which remained abandoned since CRPF left almost 10-15 years back, the building is in a dilapidated condition for many years. There are 4 old ceiling fans, still found attached to ceiling. Local residents have testified that they never saw any of the fans operational. Report obtained from electric department regarding detail of connection and bill. A connection has been provided in the name of Atikur Rehman. There were no mikes in that old building since the time it was left abandoned and no mikes were found presently", the fact-finding report of the North Tripura police states.

It further states, "Based on police records, it is found that the structure was used as safe haven by various anti-social elements and police had chased them away on several occasions. On October 6, 2021, two persons were arrested under Tripura Police Act."

The Panisagar SDM had written two letters, in June 2019 and January 2021, to authorities about these two religious structures on government land. "This is in reference to the necessary removal and relocation of the two structures", the SDM's letter noted.

"I stay in RCPE area right next to these shrines since last 15 years. I have never seen a Muslim man from my locality ever visiting this place for namaz. In fact, we didn't even know a mosque existed since there was no loudspeakers or doors. I don't know how people are fabricating these charges of fire now when nobody ever prayed," The New Indian quoted Dipan Deb Nath, who runs an e-rickshaw in Panisagar.

As reported by the Organiser, in a series of social media posts in October, Tripura Police said social media was used to spread fake news that a mosque had been burnt down in North Tripura.

It posted, "Certain persons by using fake social media IDs are spreading fake news/rumours on Tripura. It is informed that law & order situation in the State is absolutely normal."

Adding "During yesterday's protest rally in Panisagar, North Tripura, no masjid was burnt and the pictures being shared of burning or damaged masjid or collection of sticks etc are all fake and are not from Tripura. They may be of some countries."