Agartala: Tension prevailed in the Jarulbachai area under the 17-Pekuarjala–Janmejaynagar constituency of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) following a clash between supporters of the BJP and the Tipra Motha Party ahead of the council elections, with both sides filing police complaints.
Officials said leaders from the two parties lodged separate FIRs at Srinagar police station, each accusing the other of instigating the violence.
According to BJP leaders, supporters of Tipra Motha, allegedly acting on the instructions of party candidate Gita Debbarma, attacked a shop in the local market owned by the son of BJP candidate Majee Debbarma. They claimed the shop was vandalised during the incident.
Majee Debbarma condemned the alleged attack, stating that targeting individuals on the basis of political affiliation was unacceptable. He said no one should suffer economic loss for supporting a particular party and accused Tipra Motha supporters of attempting to financially undermine BJP workers. He added that political parties should refrain from interfering with the livelihoods of individuals.
He further alleged that the houses of BJP leaders Bachan Debbarma and Subhas Debbarma were also attacked, leaving them severely damaged. He said an FIR had been filed naming those responsible.
Tipra Motha leaders denied the allegations and, in turn, accused the BJP candidate of provoking the confrontation. They said processions taken out by both parties converged at the local market, where the BJP candidate allegedly directed his supporters to attack Tipra Motha workers.
A Tipra Motha leader claimed that the BJP candidate had objected to other parties campaigning in the area, asserting his local roots. He said their supporters resisted when the situation escalated.
The leader also stated that police and security personnel present at the spot had witnessed the sequence of events.
He further alleged that two Tipra Motha workers were attacked while returning home after the programme and that their motorcycles were damaged.
Officials said the situation in the area remained tense following the clash.