A fresh political confrontation erupted in South Tripura after BJP supporters resumed a road blockade on NH-8, demanding the arrest of Tipra Motha Party (TMP) workers over the attacks on BJP election winners and their families. The protesters also targeted the BJP’s state leadership over its alliance with TMP.
Key Takeaways
- BJP supporters blocked NH-8 near Monpathar after alleging attacks by Tipra Motha workers on BJP election winners.
- Protesters demanded arrests and action against those accused of disturbing peace after the Village Committee election results.
- BJP leader Mambhu Mog announced his decision to leave the party, while protesters criticised the state leadership over the NDA alliance with TMP.
BJP supporters blocked National Highway-8 near the Monpathar police outpost in South Tripura on Wednesday, alleging attacks by Tipra Motha Party (TMP) workers following the declaration of results in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Village Committee elections.
The protesters said violence started in several Village Committee areas under the Bokafa block after the results were announced. They alleged that TMP supporters went to the homes of BJP candidates who had won the elections and attacked them.
BJP Supporters First Blocked Highway on Tuesday
BJP workers first blocked the highway near the Monpathar police outpost on Tuesday night. They said they took the step to protect themselves and their families amid the alleged attacks.
Local MLA Pramod Reang, Mandal president Debashish Bhowmik and South Tripura Additional Superintendent of Police Suman Majumdar reached the spot after receiving information about the blockade.
The officials assured the protesters that the authorities would identify those responsible and take appropriate action. Following the assurance, the BJP supporters withdrew the blockade.
However, the protesters later alleged that police failed to arrest the accused within the time given to them. They then returned to the highway and resumed the blockade on Wednesday.
Protesters Demand Immediate Arrests
The BJP supporters demanded the immediate arrest of TMP workers allegedly involved in incidents that they said had disrupted peace and public order.
They also raised a wider political demand. The protesters called on the BJP’s state leadership to end its NDA alliance with TMP and remove the two TMP ministers from the government.
The blockade continued for a considerable period. The local MLA, Mandal president and South Tripura Superintendent of Police again reached the protest site.
They appealed to the BJP supporters to withdraw the blockade and tried to assure them that their concerns would receive attention.
The protesters, however, expressed disappointment with the response from the party’s senior leadership.
BJP Leader Announces Decision to Leave Party
BJP leader Sambhu Mog strongly criticised the party leadership during the protest.
He said BJP workers had fought the Left for many years and helped bring the BJP to power. He alleged that the party’s senior leadership was now failing to consider the concerns of grassroots workers.
Mog also questioned the BJP’s alliance with TMP. He alleged that the party was contesting elections with the support of people who had previously helped the Left.
He further alleged that TMP workers attacked BJP agents during the Village Committee elections.
Mog also levelled allegations against Bokafa Block Development Officer and Returning Officer Manoj Pal and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Bapi Debbarma. He alleged that the two officials worked in favour of TMP.
These allegations were made by Mog during the protest.
Protesters Signal Discontent Within BJP
Mog urged the BJP’s state leadership to break the NDA alliance with Tipra Motha (TMP). He also announced that he would leave the BJP.
He subsequently withdrew from the road blockade.
All participants in Wednesday’s protest announced their intention to leave the BJP.
The developments have created a fresh challenge for the BJP’s local organisation in South Tripura. The immediate focus now shifts to the party leadership and the administration.
The BJP leadership will face pressure to address the concerns of its grassroots workers and prevent further organisational discontent. At the same time, the administration will have to examine the allegations of violence and determine whether those accused should face legal action.
