Tripura: Several CPI(M) Members and Leaders Report Violence and Vandalism After Polls

Kolkata/Agartala: Tripura witnessed a spate of post-poll violence after the Bharatiya Janata Party workers reportedly attacked the Left activists in the state.

According to political observers, the high percentage of polling – close to 90% – has rattled the BJP and the post-poll violence is an attempt to cause disruptions ahead of the counting. The Left activists and workers have submitted several memoranda to the administration regarding the unabated violence; FIRs have also been registered in most cases.

Attacks on Left activists were reported from Nalchara, Kumariakucha, and Dhnapur of the Sonamura subdivision.

On Friday evening, a CPI(M) worker, Alok Das, was reportedly targeted by a few BJP workers at the Nalchar motor stand chowmouni. The incident purportedly took place before the eyes of a sub-inspector of police and posted CRPF jawans. Das was forcibly taken to a shed next to a BJP booth and was thrown out later with several injuries. The party leaders, on hearing about the incident, rushed to the spot and Das was taken to a primary healthcare centre.

In another incident, Sunil Das, a CPI(M) activist was attacked by a bike gang, which reportedly also set fire to a rubber plantation before fleeing.

Another activist of the Left party, Mihir Ghosh received a head injury in Kamrangatoli of the Sonamura subdivision. In the Khowai Assembly segment, a mother along with two sons reportedly received injuries and had to be hospitalised in a grave condition. The CPI(M) activist who took the three to a hospital was also beaten by hooligans.

Four members of a family were allegedly attacked with machetes by BJP members. It was reported that they were further beaten up after their hospitalisation – on the hospital premises itself.

Similar incidents of violence were reported from Madhya Singichara, Barbil and Chota Bagai areas.

In Bishalgarh, near Agartala, nine CPI(M) leaders were attacked and their residences were vandalised allegedly by BJP members – along with their cars, motorcycles, and poultry farms. It was reported earlier that the saffron party had left no stone unturned to stop the people from Bishalgarh and Charilam from voting.

In Bhati Abhainagar area and Bibekananda Abasan area of the Agartala Assembly segment, attacks were allegedly led by Arindam Chakraborty, the president of the BJP Youth Morcha. However, a few attackers were caught red-handed due to the effort of the locals. A mass resistance programme was launched in and Bibekananda Abasan – a lead for which was taken by the local women.

Incidents of attacks were also reported from the Kamalpur Assembly segment and the property of CPI(M) leader Badal Chandra witnessed hooligans’ vandalism.

In the Radhakishorepur Assembly segment’s Chataria area, the textbooks of a class IX student were burnt as her uncle is a Left party activist and was a polling agent of the CPI(M) candidate.

At least 12 CPI(M) activists reported damage to their houses and properties owing to the BJP’s attackers in the Udaipur area itself.