Agartala: Violence during campaign of 28 –members Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) has triggered serious tension in the hilly areas of the state soon after completion of withdrawal of nomination yesterday.
According to the report, the ruling IPFT has targeted royal scion Pradyot Kishore’s TIPRA supporters while BJP has resorted to attacking the ruling BJP in multiple locations of the state. Police stepped up security in some critical locations anticipating more violence and maintaining peace.
Police said the first incident was reported at Pecharthal under North Tripura district where as many as 12 workers of both CPM and BJP were sustained injuries following a scuffle broke out. Allegedly, CPM party was holding a poll rally in support of Left front candidates, meantime, some BJP workers allegedly vandalized a microphone set meant for the public meeting.
The CPM alleged a group of BJP sponsored miscreants, not less than 50 in number, launched a pre-planned attack on the party meeting. Armed with wooden clubs and other weapons, the miscreants pelted stones and brickbats on the party workers.
However, BJP ruled out any involvement in the violent clashes but accused the CPM of looting shops and attacking BJP workers and added, “In a bid to create tension ahead of ADC elections, CPM party had planned the entire episode and was now playing the victim card.”
Meanwhile, IPFT workers allegedly resorted to attack on TIPRA supporters in Mandai of eastern Agartala. TIPRA alleged that IPFT cadres prevented the rally of it’s opponent and warned them not to hold any campaign. But when TIPRA supporters continued the rally defying the objections, IPFT cadres attacked them which later spread in all nearby habitations.
Police said TIPRA alleged that IPFT workers have attacked their supporters in the local markets and entered into the houses in Mandai, Borakha, Patni, Lalitbazar and Binoy Kobrapara. Several houses were ransacked, motorbikes were vandalised and as many as 19 people have been assaulted. The IPFT cadres terrorised the entire area with a large number of motorbikes and warned the people not to respond to any other party if they wanted to stay peacefully.
However, police deployed extra forces in the localities and urged the leaders of both the parties to restrain their cadres from peace breaking activities. Sporadic incidences of attacks by IPFT workers were reported in Gandacherra, Khowai and Ampi area.
The intoxicated BJP cadres in Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb’s constituency Banamalipur have ransacked as many as seven houses in Shibnagar area of the city last night accusing them of supporting opposition CPI-M. The cadres were allegedly threatened of dire consequence if anybody in the area found supported CPI-M.
