Agartala: Three tribal youths were killed and at least 28 people including a sub- inspector of police injured in a clash between police and agitators at Satchand in South Tripura district on September 28.

Police said as part of statewide "rasta roko" by the Opposition Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) and Congress, a group of people blocked the Agartala-Sabroom main road at Satchand and brickbatted the police when they were told to vacate the roads as it was inconveniencing to people.

Police said they resorted to lathicharge and were later forced to open fire when the agitators went beyond control and injured a police sub-inspector during brickbatting.

The injured police officer was admitted to Udaipur district hospital.

INPT general secretary Rabindra Debbarma alleged that police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration without any provocation and the police and the government were responsible for the killing.

He alleged that at least 13 agitators were seriously injured, seven of whom were admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Birajit Sinha described the incident as an act of cowardice and demanded punishment of the police officer who opened fire on a peaceful demonstration.

The INPT and it's ally Congress had blocked roads demanding immediate suspension of legal action initiated against INPT president Bijoy Hrankhawl.

PTI