Is Pradyot Kishore losing control over his supporters?
Agartala/Sonamura, April 11: Frustration and fear of losing TTAADC elections was evident among the alleged supporters of the Pradyot Kishore-led Tipra Motha Party (TMP) in the Sepahijala District of Tripura.
Unsettled supporters vented their despondency on April 10 by attacking rival BJP’s activists at Takarjala and Sonamura subdivision.
Their hopeless reached to such a level they didn’t hesitate launching brutal assault on the top cop of the District and an elderly woman BJP activist.
The district witnessed multiple clashes just forty-eight hours before the critical TTAADC (Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council) elections.
The sheer brutality of the attacks has left the administration reeling. Reports confirm several injuries, including a direct assault on the Superintendent of Police (SP) and a vicious attack on a senior citizen.
Garobazar Turns Into a Battleground
The most severe confrontation occurred at Garobazar in Takarjala. Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Tipra Motha clashed in a sustained wave of violence.
The alleged TMP supporters displayed an unprecedented level of aggression toward law enforcement.
While attempting to de-escalate the violence, SP (Sepahijala), Bijoy Debbarma sustained injuries after being struck by a projectile launched from a catapult. The injury underscores the volatile nature of the unruly supporters..
In response, the Additional Director General (ADG) of Tripura Police led a massive deployment of reserved forces to the site.
Security personnel eventually used mild force to break the standoff. Despite the presence of heavy boots on the ground, a senior district official expressed deep concern over ongoing crowd mobilization.
“The situation is controlled, but the risk of renewed unrest remains high,” the official noted.
Blame Game Amidst Catapult Attacks
The political narrative has quickly descended into a series of bitter accusations. State BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee reported that the residence and office of Nirmal Debbarma—the BJP candidate—were targeted.
He claimed attackers used catapults to vandalize the property shortly after a campaign rally.
“We are witnessing a blatant continuation of the politics of intimidation,” Bhattacharjee remarked, pointing the finger at Tipra Motha workers.
On the other side, hundreds of Tipra Motha supporters held a massive demonstration outside the local police station.
They accused BJP workers of initiating the assault. The tension further escalated with reports of a Tipra supporter, one Bijoy Debbarma, suffering a bullet wound.
Police have formally denied any firing by security forces, but the claim has further angered the TMP activists.
News Analysis: The Fragility of the ‘Peace Appeal’
The sheer ferocity of these attacks raises a troubling question about the leadership of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP).
Following successive attacks on state Minister Bikash Debbarma and other BJP supporters, Tipra supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma issued an emotional public appeal for peace.
He urged his supporters to maintain unity and avoid violence.
However, the reality at Garobazar tells a different story. The use of catapults and the daring assault on security officials suggest that these appeals are being ignored at the grassroots level.
This defiance brings a critical issue to the forefront: Does Pradyot Kishore actually have control over his unruly supporters?
Will he initiate action against his violent supporters who are earning a bad name for him?
The breakdown in discipline suggests a disconnect between the “royal scion’s” message of non-violence and the undisciplined tactics of local cadres.
When political workers ignore their leader’s direct commands to remain peaceful and the supremo stay silent, the party faces a dangerous vacuum of accountability.
This “catapult culture” not only threatens the peace but also exposes brutal force of the activists.
Elderly Woman Targeted in Sonamura
In a separate act of cowardly violence in the Sonamura subdivision, a 65-year-old woman identified as Ohila Rani Noatia was targeted.
The assault took place at Tilabari Colony on April 10 evening. Sources said that a rival party supporter attacked Noatia, a BJP sympathizer, at her home.
She was rushed to the Kathalia Community Health Centre with significant injuries. The Jatrapur Police have since launched a search operation to catch the perpetrator.
Local leaders from the Dhanpur constituency have condemned the attack, calling it a sign of deteriorating law and order.
Sunday Polls Under High Alert
With the TTAADC elections set for April 12, the Tripura police DG assured deployment of around 13,000 security personal including CAPF across all 28 ADC Constituencies to ensure peaceful conduct of polls.
- *Reinforcements: Additional companies of the TSR and paramilitary forces have arrived to secure the booths.
- Patrolling: Police are conducting intensive area-domination exercises in Takarjala and Sonamura.
- Warning: Authorities have warned that any further attempt to mobilize mobs will be met with the strictest possible legal action.
The state now waits to see if Sunday will pass peacefully or if the lack of cadre discipline will lead to more bloodshed. Will security forces be able to dominate the violent supporters?