LoP of Tripura Legislative Assembly and CPIM State secretary Jitendra Chaudhury visited the party’s Mohanpur subdivision office at Kalibazar under Bamutia Assembly constituency after unidentified miscreants allegedly set the office on fire during Diwali celebrations. He accused accuse local BJP leaders of masterminding the attack.
At A Glance
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CPIM State secretary Jitendra Chaudhury visited the party’s Mohanpur subdivision office after an alleged arson attack during Diwali.
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Chaudhury accused local BJP leaders of orchestrating the attack and alleged that miscreants used petrol and kerosene to set the office on fire.
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He claimed unemployed and economically disadvantaged individuals were being used to carry out political attacks.
An alleged arson attack on the CPIM office at Kalibazar in Bamutia Assembly constituency in the West Tripura district has triggered fresh allegations by the opposition party against the ruling BJP. CPIM State secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Monday (November 9) visited the damaged party office and accused local BJP leaders of orchestrating the incident.
The attack reportedly took place during the Diwali celebrations when unidentified miscreants allegedly set fire to the CPIM Mohanpur subdivision office under the cover of darkness. The incident raised concerns among local residents, as the fire could potentially have spread to the surrounding area. The locality narrowly escaped a major incident.
Chaudhury, accompanied by several senior party leaders, inspected the spot and strongly condemned the attack. He alleged that the incident reflected the ruling party’s growing intolerance towards political opposition.
The incident came after an attack in recent past on the convoy of former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, adding to the political tensions surrounding alleged attacks on opposition leaders and party establishments in the state.
Jitendra Chaudhury Accuses Local BJP Leaders
During his visit, Chaudhury alleged that local BJP leaders were responsible for the attack on the CPIM office. He questioned why a political party’s local headquarters had become a target.
He claimed that hundreds of people regularly visited the office and that the party frequently organised meetings and other programmes there.
“Today’s BJP in Tripura fears not only the people but even its own shadow,” Chaudhury said, criticising the ruling party.
He argued that the CPIM office served as an important organisational centre in the area. Party workers and supporters regularly gathered there for meetings and political activities.
Chaudhury alleged that the attack aimed to create an atmosphere of fear among opposition workers and prevent them from carrying out organisational activities.
Recalls Earlier Alleged Attempts to Disrupt Party Programmes
The CPIM state secretary also referred to an earlier incident involving a blood donation camp and a conference organised by the Youth Federation at the same premises.
He alleged that attempts had been made to obstruct the programme through false allegations and intimidation. He further claimed that a woman had been brought into the matter as part of those attempts.
According to Chaudhury, the incident had brought embarrassment to the BJP after images of the episode circulated across the country.
However, he alleged that the ruling party had shown no sign of regret and that similar incidents had continued.
Drawing a connection between the earlier episode and the latest attack, Chaudhury claimed that the same people who were allegedly involved in previous acts of intimidation had orchestrated the arson incident.
Petrol and Kerosene Allegedly Used to Set Office on Fire
Chaudhury alleged that the attackers poured petrol and kerosene inside the party office before attempting to set it on fire.
He said residents of Mohanpur and Kalibazar knew who was behind the incident. He expressed confidence that local people could identify those responsible for the attack.
However, the CPIM leader distinguished between those who allegedly carried out the arson and those who planned it.
He claimed that economically disadvantaged and unemployed individuals had been used to execute the attack. According to him, these individuals were being exploited because of their financial difficulties and unemployment.
Chaudhury argued that the people who physically carried out the attack were not the principal culprits. Instead, he pointed towards those who allegedly instructed and encouraged them.
CPIM Leader Targets Alleged Masterminds
The CPIM state secretary insisted that the investigation should focus on the alleged masterminds rather than only those who physically participated in the incident.
He accused influential political figures of directing such activities while using vulnerable individuals to execute their plans.
“The real culprits are those who stand behind them and direct these activities. The mastermind is the person who gives the instructions and makes others carry out such acts,” he alleged.
Chaudhury reiterated his condemnation of the arson attack and criticised the BJP over what he described as a pattern of political intimidation.
Several senior CPIM leaders accompanied him during the inspection. They included Bamutia MLA Nayan Sarkar, former MP and CITU leader Shankar Prasad Datta, CPIM West District Committee secretary Ratan Das, Mohanpur Divisional Committee secretary Sudip Debnath and Bamutia regional secretary Partha Das.
The visit brought senior opposition leaders to the site as the CPIM stepped up its criticism of the ruling BJP over the alleged attack on its organisational establishment.
