Vote counting for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Village Committee elections was marred by protests, road blockades and clashes at several counting centres across the state on Monday, even as the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) emerged as the dominant force, winning 2,803 seats by 6 pm.

Incidents of unrest were reported from Sepahijala, Dhalai and Khowai districts during the counting process. In Khowai, police and Central Armed Police Forces reportedly resorted to a lathi-charge after a crowd attempted to breach security barricades near a counting centre.

Polling for 587 Village Committees was held on September 28, recording an estimated voter turnout of 81 per cent. Elections were conducted for 2,950 seats, while the remaining seats had already been decided uncontested.

According to State Election Commission Secretary Anugra Sen, results for 3,470 of the 4,594 seats had been declared by the afternoon.

“Counting started at 8 am and in some places problems were created leading to delay in the counting process, which was resolved by the police and civil administration. Some incidents occurred but we have not received any complaint from any political party,” Sen said.

By 6 pm, TIPRA Motha had secured 2,803 seats, far ahead of the BJP, which won 508 seats. Independents bagged 93 seats, followed by the CPI(M) with 40, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) with 16 and the Congress with 10.

In Sepahijala district, tension prevailed at the Poly Bari Class XII English Medium School counting centre in Kathalia block. According to local reports, TIPRA Motha supporters blocked roads leading to the venue, allegedly restricting the movement of supporters of rival parties and causing inconvenience to personnel engaged in the counting process.

The incident prompted opposition leaders to stage a protest outside Jatrapur Police Station. Sepahijala Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma remained at the spot as security personnel monitored the situation.

A separate protest erupted in Salema block of Dhalai district, where CPI(M) workers and supporters allegedly blocked the road at Maharani. The party claimed that its counting agents were prevented from entering the counting centre at Maharani High School and alleged that some of its agents were forced out and had their identity cards confiscated.

Meanwhile, the situation turned volatile outside Bharat Sardar Vidyalaya in Khowai district, the designated counting centre for Tulashikhar Rural Development Block. Police and Central Armed Police Force personnel reportedly used a lathi-charge after a crowd allegedly attempted to cross security barricades and move towards the counting premises.

Around 10 to 12 people, including women, were reportedly injured in the incident and were taken to Khowai District Hospital. Their condition was not immediately known.