One CPIM Party Office was attacked, vandalized and set on fire at Sonamura under Sepahijala district in Tripura on Saturday (March 11) allegedly by BJP supporters during a victory rally by the latter.
As part of party’s State-wide programme, Sonamura Mandal of BJP brought out a rally in Sonamura today. While passing the CPIM Local Committee Office, some unruly supporters from the rally raided the office, ransacked it and damaged the furniture and documents as well as set it ablaze. Later, they hurled a petrol bomb targeting the Office.
Soon flames engulfed the Party office which was located in a crowded place spreading panic among the local shop keepers adjoin the party office. The Fire service personnel were quick respond to calls and managed to contain and douse the fire saving Sonamura from massive fire disaster.
CPIM leadership vehemently condemned the incident and demanded action against the perpetrators. BJP also condemned the incident claiming that the party has no connection with the miscreants involved in the incident. The saffron party also demanded stern punitive steps against the offenders.
CPIM leader Shyamal Chakraborty who won and retained the Sonamura seat defeating BJP candidate said it is an example of mindless violence unleashed without any provocation. Narrating the incident, Chakraborty said BJP activists conducted the attack in full public glare at daytime.
He also said administration deployed security personnel for safeguarding the Office for the last few days – but, he alleged, today there were not adequate security men to stop the unruly BJP supporters.
According to locals, the rally was normally passing through – but some miscreants who were present at the ‘tail’ of the rally attacked the CPIM party Office.
BJP local leaders, however, denied any links with miscreants and said the miscreants were CPIM supporters but after the poll results were announced, they self-declared as BJP supporter and joined the rally.
According to some BJP leaders, these miscreants in an attempt to prove their loyalty to BJP might have done such a condemnable act. “We are demanding stern actions against the miscreants”, BJP leaders said.
Even as different parts of Tripura were witnessing post poll related violence, Sonamura was one of the place where there was no violence. However, today’s incidence is ignominious for the people of Sonamura, commented local shop owners who had a harrowing time.
