Agartala, September 29: Leaders of the ruling BJP and opposition CPI(M) in Tripura on Tuesday visited hospitals to meet party workers and candidates injured in violence during Monday’s Village Committee elections, with both sides demanding investigations while offering sharply different accounts of the incidents.
Tripura BJP state president and MLA Abhishek Debroy visited GBP Hospital in Agartala and met BJP workers undergoing treatment after being injured in the violence.
Debroy enquired about their medical condition and spoke to their family members, assuring them of assistance and support.
Talking to reporters, the BJP leader described the incident as “deeply shocking” and called for an impartial investigation. He said the party had issued instructions to its workers across the state to ensure peaceful polling and maintained that voting had proceeded smoothly in most areas.
“This was a sudden attack, a conspiracy. The police are investigating, and the truth will come out,” Debroy said.
He said one of the injured youths was from his constituency and expressed concern over his condition.
“He is a good boy, my own constituency’s son. I was so distressed last night that I couldn’t sleep,” he said.
Debroy assured the injured youth’s family that he would extend all necessary assistance in his capacity as the local MLA.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury visited Gomati District Hospital to meet an injured Tipra Motha candidate and other workers.
Chaudhury alleged that 10–12 vehicles carrying people from outside had reached the Surma polling centre with an intention to influence the election. He claimed that when local residents resisted, violence broke out, during which a candidate was shot and two others sustained injuries.
The CPI(M) leader also referred to videos circulating on social media, which he claimed showed BJP supporters attempting to enter polling areas and cast fraudulent votes. He demanded a detailed investigation into the allegations.
Chaudhury further alleged that a confrontation took place near a strong room when supporters of different parties attempted to monitor the movement of ballot boxes. Police personnel were allegedly attacked while intervening.
Despite the incidents, Chaudhury praised voters for turning out to exercise their franchise.
“The enthusiasm among people to cast their votes, even after such incidents, shows their strong commitment to democracy,” he said.
The violence has brought renewed focus on security arrangements for the Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), held after a gap of about a decade.
The BJP, CPI(M), Congress, Tipra Motha and other parties are contesting the elections, with the incidents prompting demands for a thorough probe and accountability.
