Tipra Motha on September 29 asked the Tripura State Election Commission to ensure the arrest within 24 hours of those allegedly involved in the firing at a polling station during the Village Committee (VC) election, warning of a party programme if the demand is not met.
Key Takeaways:
- Tipra Motha has sought the arrest of those allegedly involved in the Udaipur firing within 24 hours.
- MLA Ranjit Debbarma questioned the police response and the lack of arrests after the incident.
- The party may announce a programme if the alleged attackers remain free after the deadline.
Tipra Motha has demanded swift action against those allegedly involved in the firing at a polling station in Udaipur during the Village Committee election.
A party delegation met Tripura State Election Commission Secretary Anurag Sen at the commission’s office on Monday. The delegation submitted a deputation and sought the arrest of the alleged attackers within 24 hours.
The delegation included TTAADC CEM Runiel Debbarma, MLA Ranjit Debbarma, MLA Biswajit Kalai, MDC Suraj Debbarma, MDC Jiten Debbarma, MDC Prathamit Debbarma and other party leaders.
Tipra Motha Sets 24-Hour Deadline
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MLA Ranjit Debbarma said the alleged attackers must be arrested within the next 24 hours.
He said the party approached the Election Commission because the incident occurred during the election process. He urged the commission to ensure immediate action.
Debbarma said the party would discuss the situation if the arrests did not take place within the deadline. It would then announce its next programme after the party meeting.
He also said the party did not want to be forced to launch a movement over the issue.
MLA Questions Police Response
Debbarma strongly questioned the police response to the incident.
He alleged that several people arrived in vehicles, entered a polling station and opened fire. Yet, the police could not arrest anyone, he said.
He expressed concern that more than 24 hours had passed without an arrest.
Debbarma also questioned how police personnel sustained injuries during the incident. He asked why the police could not control the situation when the alleged attackers entered the election centre and opened fire.
He said the incident raised questions about the functioning of the police administration.
Claims Party Workers Identified Suspects
Debbarma claimed that injured party workers identified some of the people allegedly present at the spot during the firing.
He said the party had shared information, including names, with the police administration. He further claimed that some of the alleged attackers had attended a political meeting at the same location a few days earlier.
According to Debbarma, local people also saw and identified some of them during the firing. Despite this, he alleged, the police had not arrested anyone so far.
He called for immediate action to maintain law and order.
Leaders to Visit Incident Site
Debbarma said Tipra Motha leaders would visit the incident site and speak to local residents.
The leaders would seek details from people who witnessed the incident, he said. He also urged the administration to take effective steps to prevent similar incidents during the election process.
Debbarma described the firing at an election centre as unfortunate and unacceptable. He called for effective administrative action to prevent a recurrence.
