Recent spike of political violence, Opposition leader seeks CM’s intervention to restore law and order

After series of political violence and attacks on opposition supporters in different parts of Tripura, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Chief Minister Dr Maik Saha seeking his immediate intervention for taking all necessary steps to curb down the sudden uprising trend of political and other hooliganism in the state.

Opposition leader, Jitendra Chaudhury in his letter to the Chief Minister on Wednesday said ‘ with deep concern about rampant and shocking incidents of political hooliganism and brutal targeted attacks on political opponents including leaders, activists and supporters and their as usual activities by a section of the supporters of ruling dispensation.’

He claimed that during present tenure of the Chief Minister, a reins of terror, which was prevailing in Tripura since March, 2018 and it has suddenly increased by manifold and that has become almost a daily feature now since the Chief Minister’s recent public statement about giving a ‘free hand to the police’, there has been a noticeable surge in violent attacks — including party office vandalism, physical assaults, destruction of vehicles, and disruption of public meetings. “Police presence has done little to deter these actions, and in many cases, they stood as mute spectators,” claimed Chaudhury.

Highlighting different incidents of political attacks and violence, Chaudhury said that  on June 17 in Bishalgarh, a CPI (M) public meeting was allegedly attacked by around 50 to 60 BJP Yuva Morcha supporters armed with country-made weapons. The attackers reportedly vandalized the party office and destroyed at least 20 motorbikes. Although the SDPO and the Officer-in-Charge of Bishalgarh police station were present, no preventive or corrective action was taken.

On June 21 in Udaipur Bazar, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman and his supporters were allegedly assaulted during a party meeting. Security personnel were present at the site but reportedly did not intervene.

On June 22 in Jirania, several families were attacked during the night for attending a CPIM event. Their homes were ransacked, yet the police allegedly remained inactive.

On June 24 in Takajala, a group of 15 to 20 masked individuals, allegedly affiliated with Tipra Motha, disrupted a CPI(M) meeting by throwing bricks and shouting abuses. Seven people, including a woman, were seriously injured, but once again, police reportedly failed to act.

On the June 29, CPI(M) office and its leaders and supporters at Kakraban, Udaipur were attacked and the goons forcefully interrupted and overturned CPI(M) party’s pre-scheduled and duly permitted meeting at the Kakraban motor stand premises, leaving the police absolutely helpless and mere a silent spectators only, said Chaudhury in his letter.

 “These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of political intimidation. The people are losing faith in the impartial attitude of administration and police machinery,” said Chaudhury.

Seeking Chief Minister’s immediate intervention, Chaudhury urged Dr Manik Saha to take immediate steps to curb down the sudden uprising trend of political and other hooliganism in Tripura to restore  and maintain proper law and order and peaceful, amicable environment through =out the state, so that democracy can prevail in Tripura.