Agartala: A middle-aged woman was allegedly subjected to public humiliation by villagers in Tripura’s Dhalai district in an incident suspected to be an act of moral policing, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place in the Kamalpur subdivision of Dhalai district, where the woman was reportedly paraded through the village and forced to wear a garland made of shoes.

Video footage of the incident circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage and criticism over the apparent failure of the local administration to prevent the act.

Police said the woman was rescued and taken to a hospital after the video came to their notice. Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Kamalpur, Samudra Debbarma, said the woman was publicly insulted by a group of villagers and an inquiry has been initiated.

“As soon as the matter came to our notice, police intervened and shifted her to a local hospital for treatment. We are looking into the incident. Once the victim lodges a formal complaint, legal action will be taken against those involved,” Debbarma said.

According to local sources, the woman, who is married, had allegedly left her home around one and a half months ago and was believed to be staying in Agartala with her paramour.

She returned to her husband’s house a few days ago and was allowed to stay there following intervention by family members.

Sources said tensions escalated after her return, following which a group of villagers allegedly dragged her out of the house on Saturday morning and subjected her to public humiliation. She reportedly collapsed on the road after being assaulted and paraded.

The woman was first taken to Bimal Sinha Memorial Hospital and later referred to Dhalai District Hospital for further treatment. Her condition is stated to be stable.

The incident has drawn strong reactions on social media, with many users condemning the act as a violation of human dignity and questioning the authority under which villagers carried out such punishment.

Police said further action would depend on the outcome of the investigation and the victim’s statement.

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