Post VC poll violence erupted at Gamaria Village Committee in Gomati District of Tripura today evening after protests over the shooting of a Tipra Motha candidate turned volatile, leaving Gomati SP Anirban Das injured and damaging the official vehicle of Udaipur SDPO Debanjali Roy.
Key Takeaways
- Gomati SP Anirban Das suffered a head injury as violence erupted at Gamaria Village Committee in Udaipur.
- Miscreants vandalised the official vehicle of Udaipur SDPO Debanjali Roy and attacked security personnel with stones.
- The unrest followed the shooting of Tipra Motha candidate Khachindra Reang at Warengbari earlier in the afternoon.
Tension escalated sharply, post VC Poll, in Gomati District after an agitated group of locals attacked security personnel and senior officials deployed at Gamaria Village Committee to contain the situation on September 28 evening.
Gomati district Superintendent of Police (SP) Anirban Das sustained a head injury during the violence. Miscreants also vandalised the official vehicle of Udaipur SDPO Debanjali Roy.
The attacks came amid protests by Tipra Motha supporters following the shooting of one of the party’s candidates earlier in the afternoon. The situation prompted the administration to intensify security deployment across the area.
Heavy Security Deployment in Gamaria
Police sources said security forces managed to bring the immediate situation under control. However, authorities kept a large contingent deployed in the area to prevent further violence.
CRPF personnel, state police and Tripura State Rifles troopers remained on the ground. Senior administrative officials also reached the area and tried to pacify the protesters.
The Udaipur-Amarpur road remained blocked by protesters at the time of filing the report. The administration continued efforts to clear the road and restore normalcy.
Sources said tension had started building soon after the shooting at Warengbari. The situation became more volatile after rumours circulated that the injured candidate had died.
A large group of unidentified miscreants travelling on motorcycles reportedly attacked security personnel and pelted them with stones, sources said.
Violence Follows Shooting of TMP Candidate
The unrest in Gamaria followed a clash at Warengbari earlier in the afternoon. Tipra Motha candidate Khachindra Reang sustained a gunshot injury to his waist during a confrontation with activists of a rival political party.
Supporters accompanying the injured candidate alleged that BJP activists were behind the shooting. However, the identity of the alleged attackers had not been established at the time of filing.
A Tipra Motha supporter said the confrontation began when party workers attempted to enter a polling station. According to the supporter, rival party workers allegedly tried to prevent them from entering, leading to an argument that later escalated into violence.
Two other persons, Chitrajoy Reang and Udayram Reang, also sustained injuries during the clash.
Injured Candidate Referred to Agartala
Reang received initial treatment at Gomati District Hospital after the shooting. Doctors reportedly spent several hours attempting to remove the bullet but could not extract it.
The medical team then referred him to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala for advanced treatment.
Local MLA and senior BJP leader Ram Pada Jamatia visited the injured candidate at the hospital.
Ram Pada Jamatia said Reang was stable and responding to visitors. He said doctors had tried their best to treat the injury but recommended shifting him to Agartala because he required advanced medical care.
According to Ram Pada Jamatia, doctors had assured the family and supporters that the patient was out of danger.
Ram Pada also said he had informed Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha about Reang’s condition and that necessary treatment arrangements would be made at the Agartala hospital.
Tipra Motha Calls for Speedy Probe
Senior Tipra Motha leader and TTAADC Executive Member CK Jamatia also visited the hospital.
He said party workers present at Warengbari had informed him that three unidentified persons travelling in four-wheelers reached the polling station.
According to the workers, the men allegedly threatened Reang and one of his supporters. An argument followed and the situation eventually turned violent, CK Jamatia said.
He said Reang sustained the bullet injury during the scuffle and was later taken to hospital.
One of the vehicles involved in the incident had reportedly been identified. CK Jamatia said the details had been handed over to the police to assist the investigation.
Police to Establish Responsibility
Asked about the identity of those responsible, CK Jamatia said the police should investigate the incident and establish the facts.
He said local Tipra Motha workers had alleged BJP involvement but stressed that the allegation remained an assumption at that stage.
CK Jamatia expressed hope that the police would conduct a speedy investigation. He also said none of the alleged attackers had been identified by name.
The Tipra Motha leader further indicated that the alleged assailants were outsiders.
Meanwhile, MDC Suraj Debbarma left for GB Pant Hospital in Agartala to receive and accompany the injured candidate.
The violence at Gamaria and the shooting at Warengbari left the area tense, with security forces maintaining a strong presence and administrative officials continuing efforts to bring the situation under control.
