Agartala, September 28: A Tipra Motha candidate was seriously 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 R K Pur police station, according to Saha, who said he received information about the incident shortly before addressing a press conference at the BJP state office here.
“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 seriously injured person as Tipra Motha candidate Kachendra Reang, who was reportedly shot and shifted to Gomati District Hospital. He was reported to be in serious condition and undergoing surgery.
The other injured persons were identified as Rajendra Reang, brother of Kachendra Reang, and Udaram Reang.
Following the incident, Gomati District Magistrate Rinku Lather and senior police officials, accompanied by a large contingent of security personnel, reached the area. Locals reportedly blocked the road, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident.
Saha said the Superintendent of Police, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and additional police personnel had also 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, with voting continuing at several places.
Saha thanked the State Election Commission, security agencies and others involved in conducting the polling, saying the election had proceeded peacefully in most areas.
Polling for the Village Committees is being held in the tribal areas of Tripura in an election closely watched across the state. The polls are being held after about a decade, with the results expected to have significance for local political representation in the TTAADC areas.
