Pro-MASS News Bureau: Dec 16, 2015:
The 12 hour ‘Hill Bandh’ called on Dec 16, 2015 by IPFT, a tribal organization of Tripura turned violent. The Bandh was called by IPFT in support of demand for separate State for local tribal people. The ruling CPI-M opposed the strike, however refrained from engaging its cadres to foil the strike. Yet ‘unruly’ supporters of IPFT clashed with security personnel at Khumlung, HQ of Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), sources commented. According media reports, more than 200 picketers were arrested while around 15 people of IPFT and ruling CPI-M were injured after police resorted to mild lathi-charge. Notably, all the political parties including BJP, opposed the strike.
To avoid untoward incidences during the Bandh, most of the institutions and markets remained closed in TTAADC areas. Political observers of State said, though ruling CPI-M vehemently opposed the strike and urged people not to support the Bandh, the ruling party refrained from engaging its supporters to foil the strike. Thus the party and the Govt ‘cleverly’ avoided violences. Political observers further said, a strong opposition and retaliation by the CPI-M supporters or the Govt would create serious law and order problems as IPFT is known to the people and administration as trouble-making party.
