Tension escalated in the North Mura area on Friday after unknown miscreants allegedly set fire to TIPRA Motha party flags and campaign decorations outside the party office in the 19-Charilam Assembly constituency. The attack also involved the tearing down of a flex banner featuring Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya, a revered historical figure in Tripura.
Local sources reported that the incident occurred in front of the TIPRA Motha office under the Bishalgarh subdivision. Several party flags were burnt, posters and banners damaged, and flags placed at different nearby locations were reportedly removed. The act of vandalism sparked immediate outrage among party workers, who rushed to the site upon discovering the destruction.
In response, TIPRA Motha supporters lodged a formal complaint at Bishalgarh Police Station, naming nine CPI(M) workers as the alleged perpetrators. Party members accused political rivals of deliberately creating unrest ahead of upcoming local activities, stressing that such acts were aimed at intimidating supporters and disrupting political campaigns. They demanded strict action against those responsible to prevent recurrence.
The situation remained tense in North Mura throughout the day, with a visible police presence deployed to maintain law and order and avert further escalation. Party leaders condemned the attack, describing it as an attempt to undermine democratic processes and intimidate local communities engaged in political participation.
TIPRA Motha officials also highlighted the symbolic significance of the vandalised flex banner, which featured Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya, emphasizing that desecrating such icons hurts the sentiments of the local population.
Authorities assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify the culprits and hold them accountable. Meanwhile, party workers called for calm and urged the public to continue peaceful political engagement, stressing that acts of violence would not deter their ongoing organisational activities in the region.
The incident has once again brought political tensions in the 19-Charilam constituency into sharp focus, with parties on high alert as local campaigns intensify ahead of upcoming elections.
