September 18, 2017: Clashes between supporters of ruling CPIM and BJP erupted today at Bitarban area in Agartala. Sources said, at least five BJP supporters including MLA Sudip Roy Barman. An FIR was lodged by Roy Barman at Ramnagar Outpost, however, no one was arrested so far.
Local people said, clashes erupted over occupancy of a Party Office. Staking its claim, CPIM supporters last night took control of the Party Office and put red flags. After getting information, local MLA cum new entrant into saffron Brigade, Sudip Roy Barman along with his followers went there to wrest control from CPIM and ‘reclaim’ it as BJP office.
However, women of Bitarban put up a strong resistance and started pelting stones to foil Roy Barman’s plan. CPIM supporters assembled there in large number and gheraoed Roy Barman and his followers.
Led by State BJP vice president Subal Bhowmik, BJP supporters went to the spot and ‘rescued’ Roy Barman. During the scuffle and stone pelting Roy Barman sustained injury while four other BJP supporters were also injured.
Referring to the Party Office in question, a section of local people and unconfirmed sources stated, it was actually a Trinamool Congress Party Office. However, after State TMC leaders including MLA Sudip Roy Barman quit TMC and joined BJP, the Party Office was left unattended. After CPIM claimed its stake last night, BJP today appeared in the scene resulting chaos and clashes.
With senior Police Officers in spot, situation was stated to be normal. What baffled local people was presence of Police personnel inactively while troubles begun. “Had Police intervened in proper time, clashes between the two groups of supporters could be nipped in the bud”, commented a local resident of Bitarban.
