Montang Valley, a serene tourist destination in Tripura, has become the epicenter of tension due to an escalating land-related dispute. The tranquil atmosphere of this picturesque valley in the Teliamura sub-division was disrupted on Thursday when a significant number of police personnel, forest guards, and CRPF personnel faced a vehement protest by over a hundred local villagers.
The cause of the unrest revolves around a land dispute, with the Forest department alleging that five families in the area have illegally occupied land, engaging in business practices that are detrimental to the forest ecosystem. The situation took a dramatic turn, with even a woman participating in the protest sans clothes, symbolizing the intensity of the local sentiments.
Responding to the situation, SDFO Sabbir Kanti Das, accompanied by a team of police, CRPF personnel, and the local DCM, visited the spot on Thursday. The Forest officer revealed plans to utilize the location for the betterment of the local Janajati people through Joint Forest Management (JFM). However, this announcement triggered a heated argument with the five families managing the spot.