Attack on LF leaders: Tripura CM takes strong exception, orders probe
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has taken strong exception over the alleged attack on a Left delegation led by Leader of Opposition Manik Sarkar during their visit at South Tripura district on Monday last.
The Chief Minister, according to a press communiqué from his office, has already ordered a probe and asked for the report within 48 hours.
“The Chief Minister has ordered for constituting an inquiry panel headed by the Superintendent of Police, South Tripura and submit the report to the Chief Minister within 48 hours”, the statement said.
The Opposition Leader on Monday alleged that hooligans patronised by the ruling BJP had attacked the CPI-M delegates including him when they reached Santirbazar in South Tripura district to visit the house of party workers.
The police, however, claimed that unidentified youths had thrown stones but none was injured.
Sarkar, also CPI-M Politburo member and former chief minister, said the delegates had gone to the houses of party supporters who were allegedly attacked by BJP goons on Wednesday when they were celebrating the birth anniversary of social thinker Karl Marx in front of a CPI-M party office.
The delegates were led by Sarkar. Deputy Leader of opposition, Badal Chowdhury was also a part of the delegation.
The BJP hoodlums showed them black flags and chanted slogans 'Go back Sarkar'.
The police allegedly asked the delegates to return in view of the situation. When the delegates were returning to the main roads, the attackers brick batted them, he said.
Nirupam Datta, SDPO Santirbazar said none was injured in the incident and the police had to resort to mild lathi-charge to disperse the attackers and provide protection to the CPI-M delegates.
Sarkar alleged that the state director general of police was informed of the CPI-M leaders' visit in advance but still they were attacked.
"It was a pre-planned attack, which could not have been possible without the indulgence from the state leadership. The law and order had collapsed in the state and attacks on CPI-M party workers are increasing day by day, he said.
However, Tripura Education Minister and cabinet spokesperson, Ratan Lal Nath said that the attackers were not BJP workers.
They are former CPI-M activists, who were deprived and exploited during the 25 year-long misrule of CPI-M. They attacked their party leaders in revenge, Nath, who is also a prominent BJP leader, told the media.
Tripura’s royal scion and Chairman of the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA), one BJP MLA, Sudip Roy Burman also condemned the incident on Monday.