Violence continues in Tripura after poll schedule announces

Agartala: Series of attacks, murders, and mayhem in Tripura soon after the announcement of the election schedule for the state assembly marred the spirit of the zero-poll violence mission of Election Commission of India (ECI).

At least five incidents including murder were reported from various parts of the state in last 12 hours after Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar warned of zero tolerance for violence. Police arrested as many as six people in connection with two incidents so far.

In all the incidents’ the ruling BJP has been accused of perpetrating on the opposition Congress, CPM, and TIPRA Motha but no action so far against the accused instead two Congressmen were arrested by the police in Bishalgarh of Sepahijala district in connection with an old case when returning from party rally.

At least 32 people including AICC Secretary Dr Ajoy Kumar were injured in four attacks allegedly by BJP miscreants in Majlishpur constituency of eastern Agartala in the afternoon.

Five CPI-M workers were assaulted in the Barpathari area of Rajnagar constituency of South Tripura allegedly by BJP goons when the victims were returning home from attending a rally.

Police arrested two persons – one each from Congress and BJP in connection with the attack.

Police recovered Pranajit Namasudra (44) in critical condition from the Durga Chowmuhani area under Surma constituency in Dhalai district at midnight and he was declared dead when brought to the hospital.

Pranajit, TIPRA leader, had lodged an FIR against some BJP workers in the locality on Tuesday alleging threat and intimidation. Pranajit was attacked on his way back home by the miscreants on Wednesday evening.

Police arrested four persons who were accused of threatening Pranajit in his previous FIR.

The house of a CPI-M supporter Nantu Chandra Debnath was allegedly set on fire in Bishalgarh of Sepahijala district. Nantu along with his family was asleep when the house was set ablaze from four sides.

They were rescued unhurt but the entire house including some cash and valuables was burnt, Debnath claimed to accuse BJP of the crime.

No officer at police headquarters is reachable to comment on the law-and-order situation.

However, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kiran Gitte claimed that FIR has been registered in each of the incidents, and police were asked to take action.

An adequate central police force was deployed across the state and they have been doing flag marches to build up the confidence of the voters, he claimed.

“We are committed to ensuring violence-free elections in Tripura and hope political parties will respond positively towards the mission respecting the sanctity of the ECI. We shall not tolerate any violence or terror tactics from any quarter. ECI has already deployed a huge number of central paramilitary forces and state police are also sensitized to hold a peaceful election in the state. Stringent steps will be taken if such incidents repeat,” Gitte warned.

The opposition CPM and Congress alleged that the ruling BJP resorted to violence in challenging the ECI where senior leaders including a minister were found leading the attacks on the opposition but no action yet from ECI. They threatened to move to court seeking the security of their workers and the inaction of police against the accused. (UNI)