A chilling tragedy unfolded in South Tripura’s Kalacherra village on Sunday when a 40-year-old man, battling mental illness, fatally attacked his neighbor, only to be brutally lynched by an enraged mob shortly after.

The incident, marked by violence and vigilante justice, has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community.

Asish Debnath, long known to locals for his mental health struggles, reportedly spiraled into a violent frenzy early Sunday morning. According to police, two villagers approached him to intervene, but Debnath lashed out, striking Desapriya Bhattacharjee with an iron rod and killing him instantly.

The second villager narrowly escaped. In a grim twist, Debnath then dragged Bhattacharjee’s body to a nearby pond, lingering there with the weapon in hand.

Alerted by horrified residents, police rushed to the scene. Spotting the approaching officers, Debnath fled, sparking a chaotic pursuit. Villagers joined the chase, and the mob soon overpowered him, unleashing a savage beating that left him dead.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nityananda Sarkar confirmed both deaths, noting that authorities have launched dual investigations into the murder and the subsequent lynching.

The episode lays bare the raw tensions and swift retribution that can erupt in rural Tripura, raising questions about mental health support and mob justice. As police probe deeper, the community grapples with the loss of two lives in a single, harrowing day—leaving a scar that may not soon fade.