A scuffle broke out between CPIM and BJP workers leaving as many as twelve CPIM activists injured at Pecharthal under North Tripura district, sources said.

 

The CPIM party was holding a poll rally in support of Left front candidates for Karamcherra and Machmerra TTAADC seats in presence of GMP president Jitendra Chowdhury and Forward bloc leader Shyamal Roy. The GMP is the tribal wing of CPIM in Tripura while Forward Bloc is a constitute of Left Front.

 

According to sources, situation turned highly volatile, after some BJP workers allegedly vandalized a microphone set meant for the public meeting and also attacked the auto-rickshaw that was carrying it. Rattled by the incident, CPIM workers rushed to the spot and retaliated. The confrontations that began with intense altercations soon took a turn of fist-cuffs and physical interventions. 

 

According to allegations raised by the CPIM party, a group of BJP backed miscreants, not less than 40 to 50 in number, launched a pre-planned attack on the party meeting. Armed with wooden clubs and other weapons, the miscreants also pelted stones and brickbats on the party workers. Owing to sudden and vicious attack, 12 CPIM workers sustained serious injuries while one auto-rickshaw and a microphone set was reduced to pieces, sources claimed. 

 

Countering the allegations, BJP ruled out any involvement in the violent clashes but accused the CPIM of looting shops and attacking BJP workers. “In a bid to create tension ahead of the TTAADC elections, the CPIM party had planned the entire episode and was now playing the victim card”, a BJP leader said. 

 

Reacting on the issue, officer in-charge Pecharthal police station Jahangir Hossain said, “The problem began after some people vandalized an auto-rickshaw and a microphone set used in the rally. The BJP on the other hand, lodged a complaint stating that the CPIM party workers looted some shops”. 

 

GMP President Jitendra Chowdhury said, the level injustice being meted out to the people would be definitely paid back through votes. “You can not make us silent, the protests will go on and restoration of democracy is just a matter of time”, he added.