Eastern part of Agartala tensed: CPI(M), BJP members clash, 30 injured and 10 houses gutted

Agartala: More than 30 people injured including three journalists, 10 houses were set ablaze and a few motorbikes were destroyed in series attacks since Sunday noon following a scuffle between the cadres of ruling BJP and CPI-M in Khayerpur area, the eastern part of the city.

Police said the attacks were continued till midnight but after the movement of additional forces, the situation came under control. Nobody is arrested so far in connection with the case; however, police launched an investigation in the complaints.

The CPI-M leader Pabitra Kar alleged supporters of his party were attacked by BJP cadres when CPI-M was organizing a commemorative meeting in his house in memory of the 30 martyred farmers in presence of police. The miscreants stormed the house with arms in broad daylight and attacked the meeting that left many people injured. The attackers fled away when CPI-M resorted to counter-attack.

Meanwhile, BJP Spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee rejecting the accusations said that the opposition CPI (M) leaders and workers are trying to create violent activities that left as many as eight of their party men injured.

Kar further alleged that BJP workers also damaged two vehicles and 10 two-wheelers, parked near the venue of the meeting that was organised as part of the countrywide programme. Three Journalists were also injured when they were covering the event by the ruling party workers and warned not to publish the news.

“We have informed the senior police officials including Additional Director General (Law and Order) Rajiv Singh to take action against the BJP hooligans. Police are also helpless as the BJP government did not allow the police to act as per the law,” he said.

According to report, BJP supporters at night again assembled in the nearby localities and attacked the families of CPI-M supporters and set at least 10 houses on fire while the residents fled from the houses and spent sleepless nights under the open sky in winter. Later, police went to the spot and dispersed the gathering late at night.

Fear grips the area and hardly any shop opened this morning despite sufficient security coverage. (UNI)