Agartala, September 28: A Tipra Motha candidate was injured in an alleged firing incident during polling for Village Committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in Gomati district on Monday, with two others also sustaining injuries, Chief Minister Manik Saha said.
The incident took place at Warengbari under the R K Pur police station, Saha said, adding that he received information about it shortly before addressing a press conference at the BJP state office in Agartala.
“One person has been seriously injured and two others have also been injured. All three have been shifted to hospital,” Saha said, adding that he was awaiting a detailed report from the authorities.
Local reports identified the injured candidate as Khachindra Reang, also referred to as Patindra Reang, a Tipra Motha contestant from the area. Police sources said he suffered a bullet-like injury and was taken to Gomati District Hospital in Udaipur, where his condition was reported to be stable. Two other persons were also injured in the incident.
According to police, the incident occurred around 2 pm at Warengbari. Additional security personnel were rushed to the area following the firing, while police began an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.
Saha said the Superintendent of Police, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and additional police personnel had reached the spot.
“Except for one incident, I have just heard about, voting has taken place well,” the chief minister said.
He said the overall polling percentage had reached 72.5 per cent by 4 pm, though voting was continuing at several places.
The chief minister thanked the State Election Commission, security agencies and officials engaged in the election process, saying polling had proceeded peacefully in most areas.
Polling for the Village Committees began at 7 am and was conducted through ballot papers across the TTAADC areas. The elections cover 587 Village Committees and 4,597 seats, with polling held for the seats where contests remained after withdrawals and uncontested victories. The election schedule provides for counting on October 5.
Monday's polling marked the return of elected Village Committees after about a decade, with authorities deploying extensive security arrangements across the tribal areas.
