Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on December 12 announced that his government would approach the high court to seek permission to reopen the Kalyanpur massacre case, reaffirming its resolve to pursue justice nearly three decades after the brutal killings that shook the state.
Speaking at a programme commemorating the anniversary of the incident, Saha said the BJP-led government was determined to revive legal proceedings related to the December 12, 1996 attack at Kalyanpur Bazar Colony in Khowai district. In one of the deadliest militant assaults in Tripura’s history, armed insurgents had surrounded the village at night and opened fire on sleeping residents, killing 26 people from the Bengali Hindu community, including women, children and the elderly.
“Our government will appeal to the high court, seeking permission to reopen the Kalyanpur massacre case to ensure justice,” the chief minister said, describing the move as essential to honour the memory of the victims and their families. After offering floral tributes, he said the incident, which occurred 29 years ago, had stunned the entire nation and added that he sought the strength to continue the fight for accountability.
Saha launched a sharp political attack on the CPI(M), accusing the then Left-led government of failing to prevent the massacre and alleging that its tenure was marked by violence and suppression. Expressing surprise at the party’s continued presence in the state assembly, he claimed that communists focused only on their cadres rather than the wider public, and alleged that dozens of people were killed in South Tripura alone during their rule.
Highlighting the current administration’s approach to security, the chief minister said the situation in Tripura had stabilised significantly since the BJP came to power. He cited multiple peace accords signed with insurgent groups as evidence of sustained efforts to restore normalcy and bring armed outfits into the mainstream.
Reiterating the government’s stance, Saha said those responsible for acts of terror and violence would not escape accountability. He asserted that even if some perpetrators were still operating covertly, the government would continue its efforts to ensure they were brought to justice.
