Agartala, September 29: BJP and CPI(M) leaders in Tripura on Tuesday visited hospitals to meet party workers and candidates injured in violence during Monday’s Village Committee elections, with both sides calling for investigations but presenting different accounts of the incidents.
Tripura BJP president and MLA Abhishek Debroy visited GBP Hospital here and met party workers undergoing treatment. He enquired about their condition and spoke to their family members, assuring them of necessary assistance.
Talking to reporters, Debroy described the incident as “deeply shocking” and called for an impartial investigation.
He said the BJP had instructed its workers across the state to ensure peaceful polling and claimed that voting had remained largely peaceful in most areas.
“This was a sudden attack, a conspiracy. The police are investigating, and the truth will come out,” Debroy said.
He said one of the injured youths was from his constituency and expressed concern over his condition.
“He is a good boy, my own constituency’s son. I was so distressed last night that I couldn’t sleep,” he said.
Debroy also assured the injured youth’s family of full support and said he would provide necessary assistance in his capacity as the local MLA.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury visited Gomati District Hospital to meet an injured Tipra Motha candidate and other workers.
Chaudhury alleged that 10–12 vehicles carrying outsiders had reached the Surma polling centre with an intention to influence the election. He claimed that resistance from locals led to violence, during which a candidate was shot and two others were injured.
The CPI(M) leader also referred to videos circulating on social media, which he claimed showed BJP supporters trying to enter polling areas and cast fraudulent votes. He demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Chaudhury further alleged that a confrontation occurred near a strong room when supporters of different parties sought to monitor the movement of ballot boxes. Police personnel were allegedly attacked while intervening.
Despite the incidents, he praised voters for exercising their franchise.
“The enthusiasm among people to cast their votes, even after such incidents, shows their strong commitment to democracy,” Chaudhury said.
The incidents have renewed focus on security arrangements for the TTAADC Village Committee elections, held after nearly a decade.
The BJP, CPI(M), Congress, Tipra Motha and other parties are contesting the polls, with the violence prompting calls for investigation and maintenance of law and order.
