ProMASS News
Agartala, July 07, 2019: A highly volatile situation prevailed in West Chandrapur Gram Panchayat area under Dharmanagar in North Tripura after clashes broke out between BJP and CPIM supporters today. Situated near India-Bangladesh border, tension and panic rattled the village as a group of people – reportedly supporters of CPIM launched attack on bike borne saffron party activists with lethal weapons. Around 11 BJP supporters were injured – among them, four were stated to be critically injured and were shifted to Silchar. Smoke billowed as 22 bikes and a car were torched.
Narrating the clash, local sources alleged, “With three-tier Panchayat polls scheduled to be held on July 27, the attack seemed to be pre planned. After BJP supporters entered the village, all roads were virtually cordoned off by CPIM supporters. Moreover, someone dashed the motor bikes of BJP workers that were kept standing in a line. As soon as bike started falling on the ground, someone set bike ablaze. Smoke, blood, and chaos cast panic and fear among the villagers”.
Civil and Police administration swung into action to bring the highly sensitive and volatile situation under control – Police Officials including SDPO along with large contingent of security personnel rushed to the spot. Presently, situation is stated to be under control, even though tension is palpable and there were reports of sporadic violence despite heavy security arrangements. As the reports of clash spread, local MLA cum Deputy speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen and other BJP leaders visited the area.
The clash was sparked off on the penultimate day of nomination filing for ensuing Panchayat Polls. Presently, the Panchayat is being controlled by CPIM. A group of BJP activists led by Jagatjyoti Deb went to villages under West Chandrapur Gram Panchayat for campaigning in favour of party candidates.
However, a section of villagers led by local CPM leader and Panchayat Upa Pradhan Dulu Mian along with Fazlu Mian and Falu Mian confronted the BJP activists and soon situation turned violent as Dulu and other villagers launched ‘vicious’ attacks on BJP supporters with lethal weapons – like machete (dau), sticks etc.
While leaders of both the BJP and CPIM are blaming each other, villagers alleged, aggressive CPIM supporters stroked the trouble eyeing to trigger communal tension in the area. Meanwhile, while returning from the village BJP supporters allegedly ransacked CPIM district office in Dharmanagar.
BJP MLA Biswa Bandhu Sen alleged CPIM activists were responsible for the violence, Left Front convenor Bijan Dhar pointed fingers at BJP.
