CPI-M workers injured in BJP attack
Injured CPI-M MLA Ratan Bhowmik (left) and another injured party activist. Image credit โ€“ Northeast Now

At least 40 CPI-M activists were injured on Tuesday when they were attacked by BJP workers during an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rally at Udaipur in Tripura.

On Tuesday, the CPI-M took out a rally at Udaipur in Gomoti district in protest against the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the economic policy of the central government.

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โ€œSuddenly, some BJP workers attacked the peaceful protestors in which 40 CPI-M activists including former minister Ratan Bhowmik, former MLA Madhav Saha, party leader Manik Biswas were injured,โ€ said party sources.

The supporters of CPI-M said they had developed resistance despite being attacked.

โ€œThe attackers were BJP workers,โ€ the CPI-M activists said.

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During the rally, the CPI-M also raised voice against the privatization policy of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and various other policies that are affecting the lives of the people.

MLA Ratan Bhowmik said a letter was sent to the police seeking permission for the procession on December 23.

โ€œBut from the police, it was informed that the CM would go to Udaipur on December 23 so no procession can be carried out on that date,โ€ said Bhowmik.

Bhowmik also informed that they agreed with the police and called for a procession on Tuesday (December 24) instead of December 23.

MLA Bhowmik further said the procession started from the CPI-M party office at around 11 am on Tuesday.

He said, โ€œBut the procession was blockade by some BJP supporters at New Town Road.โ€

In front of the CPI-Mโ€™s procession, a few BJP people sat on the street and shouted slogans.

They chanted slogans in favour of the CAA and NRC.

โ€œThe procession had to be halted for a while. The police remained silent,โ€ alleged Bhowmik.

After a while, the CPI-M protestors also moved forward to respond to the obstacle.

They proceeded with the procession despite resistance which led to a clash between both sides in Udaipur town.

Ratan Bhowmik said after the procession a meeting was held at Jamtala.

โ€œWhen the president was addressing the gathering at the end of the meeting, there were attacks from three sides,โ€ Bhowmik said adding that the BJP workers attacked the CPI-M activists with sticks, poles, and bricks.

โ€œIn the attack, CPI-M leaders including Ratan Bhowmik, Madhav Saha, Manik Biswas were injured. In the attack, a government bodyguard of MLA Ratan Bhowmik received severe injuries in his arm. Those who came to the meeting were attacked in various places in Udaipur town,โ€ said sources.

โ€œAbout 40 CPI-M activists were injured in the attack,โ€ sources added.

But the BJP leaders denied the allegations leveled by the CPI-M and termed it as โ€œbaselessโ€.

โ€œThere was no attack on the CP-M rally on Tuesday,โ€ the BJP said.

They countered that the CPI-M activists attacked BJP supporters during the rally on Tuesday at Udaipur.