Tension and panic ran high in Agartala after a series of Political violence in the city on Wednesday afternoon. As part of scheduled programme, BJP Sadar Division brought out a massive rally in Agartala today. However, a part of the rally, after reaching near Melarmath Kalibari, turned violent and launched a series of attacks targeting CPM State Party Office and a media house.  

 

While several vehicles and motorbikes parked in front of CPM party offices were torched, office of a media house, PratibadiKalam newspaper, was vandalized and ransacked by the rampaging mob.

 

“The attackers ran amok in the newspaper office, damaging various important articles and injuring some of the staff. The vehicle of the editor- Anal Roy Chowdhury which was in parked in front of the office was also vandalized and set on fire. The policemen present at the scene continued to witness the whole incident like mute spectators”, locals said.

 

The attack on the media house invited wide criticism and condemnation from all sections of the society. Several media organizations strongly condemned the incident.

 

A delegation of Agartala Press Club led by secretary Pranab Sarkar also visited the newspaper office and then met the SDPO Sadar on a deputation. They demanded immediate action against the attackers.

 

The journalists’ delegation gave a twelve-hour ultimatum to police for arresting the culprits.

 

As the rally marched ahead, a section of the participants then targeted the CPI-M state party office at Melarmath and first vandalized three vehicles and then committed arson. A fire tender rushed to the spot and doused the fire.

 

Meanwhile, there was a clash between the BJP activists and police. According to sources, police also resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the mob but the action came after the damages were done. It is learnt that a few BJP supporters were injured in the police lathi-charge.

 

Opposition Leader Manik Sarkar, CPI-M leader PabitraKar and many others visited the Pratibadi Kalam office soon after the incident.

 

BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee said, the incidence of attack on Media house was unwanted. Party leaders are inquiring about the incident.