Agartala, Oct 5: Tension prevailed at the Thalibari counting centre under Jatrapur police station in Sepahijala district on Monday amid allegations that supporters of the Tipra Motha party prevented counting agents of other political parties including its NDA partner BJP from entering the centre during counting of votes for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Village Committee elections.
Leaders and supporters of the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress were seen complaining to police, alleging that their counting agents were being prevented from entering the counting centre.
Vehicles were also allegedly vandalised during the confrontation.
The situation remained tense as senior police officials, including Sepahijala Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma, reached the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.
In another serious development, IG (Law and Order) Manchak Eppar reportedly faced an attack while returning from the Thalibari counting centre. His vehicle was allegedly targeted by a group of Motha supporters, with the windshield reportedly damaged in the incident. The IG was, however, unharmed.
BJP MLA and local legislator Bindu Debnath was also present at the spot and was seen in an apparently helpless situation as supporters approached police with complaints against the alleged obstruction by Motha supporters.
The incidents came amid heightened tension at several counting centres in Tripura during counting of votes for the Village Committee elections, with allegations and counter-allegations between rival political groups.
Meanwhile, a Tipra Motha counting agent was reportedly killed in Khowai district on Monday. According to preliminary reports, the man was fleeing a police baton charge towards an unauthorised mob that was allegedly attempting to breach a police barricade when he fell and sustained injuries.
He was subsequently reported to have died later while being shifted to GBP Hospital in Agartala.
