CPI(M) Alleges Over 600 Incidents of Post-Poll Violence in Tripura by BJP-Backed 'Hooligans'

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M) on Monday alleged that soon after the declaration of election results on March 2, around 668 incidents of violence have taken place across the state where opposition political party workers came under attack, their houses, shops either ransacked or vandalised after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power for the second time.

According to a report in Northeast Now, a three-member delegation of CPI(M) on Sunday met Chief Secretary JK Sinha apprising him about the violence CPI(M) party workers faced from alleged ruling BJP-backed hooligans throughout the state.

The delegation consisted of CPI(M) state secretary and newly elected MLA and CPI(M) state committee secretary Chaudhury, Left Front convener and former MP Narayan Kar, and former education minister Tapan Chakraborty, who submitted a memorandum to Sinha.

They have demanded prompting due measures to contain the outbreaks of violence and extend relief to the victims' families. Chaudhury alleged that the situation has arisen due to the direct instigation of the party in power and the simultaneously partisan role of the law and order machinery.

“A CPI(M) delegation called upon the chief secretary to convene an all-party meeting to put an end to the violence. An appeal should be made to all to stop these clashes. It will be of help if the chief minister attends the meeting, too,” Chaudhary told reporters.

The senior CPI(M) leader further said that leaders of the Left and Congress had been trying to meet Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya since Saturday to seek his intervention. “Unfortunately, the governor has not given us an appointment as yet,” he said.

Shortly after this, BJP leader Manik Saha, who will take oath as Chief Minister for the second term on March 8, visited the worst-hit districts to take stock of the situation and issued a terse warning to those involved in the incidents.

Speaking to reporters after the visits, Saha said, “Opposition party supporters and people with vested interests are inciting violence in different parts of the state. This is unfortunate. Over 200 persons have been arrested. Those involved in these incidents will be dealt with as per the law. Nobody will be spared.”

According to the police, 102 incidents of violence have been reported across all eight districts of the state. South Tripura, Sepahijala, West Tripura, Dhalai and Khowai districts were the worst hit in the last three days. Saha visited parts of Khowai and Sepahijala with Chief Secretary J K Sinha, and DGP Amitabh Ranjan. State BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee also accompanied him.