Former Minister and Left Front Convener Manik Dey on Sunday alleged that he was obstructed from attending a wedding ceremony in Jirania on Saturday afternoon, calling the incident an “attack on democratic rights and social harmony.”
Speaking at a press conference in Agartala, Dey said he had been invited to a personal wedding function, but on his way to the venue, miscreants allegedly blocked his passage, preventing him from proceeding. He termed the episode as indicative of the deteriorating law and order situation in Tripura and growing intolerance toward opposition leaders.
“I was attending a personal event, not a political gathering. Yet, I was denied the right to do so peacefully. This clearly reflects how democracy and social values are being eroded in Tripura,” Dey said. He added that police personnel were present nearby during the incident but did not intervene. Dey later reported the matter to Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar and informed the local MLA, but claimed that no action has yet been taken against those involved.
On a wider political note, Dey launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TIPRA Motha, accusing both parties of pursuing divisive politics to distract the public from pressing state issues. He alleged that the BJP is trying to create tension between Hindus and Muslims, while TIPRA Motha aims to drive a wedge between Bengalis and Tribals.
“The BJP and TIPRA Motha share a common objective: to divide people and divert attention from urgent issues such as unemployment, rising prices, and administrative failures,” Dey said.
He concluded by urging authorities to ensure law and order, protect democratic rights, and take necessary action against those obstructing citizens, emphasizing the importance of social harmony and political tolerance in Tripura.
