Political clashes between the ruling BJP and Opposition CPM broke out at two places in Sonamura sub-division under Sepahijala District in Tripura on Monday.
Opposition leader and CPM Politburo member Manik Sarkar accompanied by other CPM leaders and large group of party cadres heading towards Kanthalia block to attend a party programme today.
When his convoy reached Dhanpur market, a group of around 100 BJP workers blocked the road and started raising ‘Manik Sarkar Go Back’ slogan with black flags. They also raised demand for returning the Rose Valley – a chit fund company – deposits.
This triggered a clash between CPM and BJP in which at least one BJP worker was injured and the local party office of BJP was damaged.
In the meantime, sensing trouble, local police present at the spot asked the CPM leaders refrain from moving further as the situation became violent. However, CPM workers made a humane barricade around Sarkar and accompanied him to Baspukur. At Baspukur, another group of BJP also created a similar barricade leading to a clash with the CPI-M workers.
One CPI-M supporter and four BJP activists were injured in the clash. Even police had to fire tear shell gas to disperse the mob. Finally, police brought the situation under control and Sarkar and his team reached the destination—Kathalia.
Later addressing a gathering near Kathalia block, the opposition leader congratulated all the people who joined the CPM programme on Monday.
“We have to fight back. We have to resist. We can’t keep our heads down anymore,” Sarkar said while encouraging the party workers to protest in a bigger way in the days to come.
Holding Sarkar responsible for the violence, BJP said CPM cadres attacked BJP functionaries, damaged bikes and shops of common people at Dhanpur area.
According to police sources, an FIR was registered against several persons in connection with the political violence.