Several supporters of CPM and BJP were reported to be injured following sporadic clashes at Bishalgarh under Sepahijala district in Tripura on Thursday. Both parties blamed each other for the violence.

While the Leftists alleged ruling party-backed miscreants launched attacks on party supporters, BJP denied and alleged CPM workers had beaten up three BJP supporters and ransacked a bike.

Amidst allegations and counter allegations, a large posse of Police personnel including the TSR jawans was deployed to quell the tension. At present, the situation is stated to be normal.

CPM leaders claimed at least eight persons were injured, and BJP leaders said three supporters were found wounded, so far. According to the ruling party number of injured persons in the party may go up.

According to local sources, CPM supporters led by party State Secretary Jitendra Chowdhury, Former CPM Minister Bhanu Lal Saha held a rally to submit a ‘mass deputation’ to the SDM today. Escorted by security personnel, the rally reached the Office Tila area, Police stopped the rally citing that CPM did not obtain prior permission for the rally.

Agreeing with the Police administration, CPM leaders stopped the rally midway and held a public meeting on the road and handed over the deputation to the representative of the SDM. Later, the red party supporters returned to the party office.

After a while, one BJP supporter, Pranesh Kumar Das was attacked by the miscreants, allegedly CPM supporters, and his bike was badly vandalized. As the report spread, BJP supporters rushed to the spot and CPM activists took refuge in the local Party office. This sparked widespread panic and tension.

However, the SDPO-led Police and TSR forces managed to keep things under control.

Meantime, CPM state secretary Jiten Chowdhury held a press meeting and accused the BJP of indulging in political violence.   He said, once again opposition parties have been prevented from carrying out political activities by the BJP workers.

In a statement Bishalgarh sub-division secretary of CPM, Partha Pratim Majumder claimed at least eight CPM supporters sustained injuries in the violence unleashed by ‘BJP supporters’ – one of them was referred to the GB Hospital.

Speaking to the media, BJP leaders including BJP Yuva Morcha State president Nabadal Banik slammed CPM for the violence. BJP leaders also lodged a complaint with the Police.

Simmering tension and panic is palpable even as the situation is under control at present.