Agartala, Jan 19, 2023, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala, Jan 19: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tripura- Kiran Gitte on Thursday said that eight persons were so far arrested in connection with BJP-Congress clash at Jirania on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media at the conference hall of West Tripura DM office, he said, police took prompt action into the Jirania clash incident.

“Three FIRs have been lodged in connection with the Jirania incident. Eight persons have so far been arrested,” the CEO said, adding that preventive action had been taken against another 18 persons

Replying to a query, the CEO clearly stated that the permission was granted for the Congress’ bike rally for a different area. In this context, he appealed to all political parties not to hold such political programmes without permission.

He reiterated that immediate action would be taken if such incidents take place in any part of the state. He also sought cooperation from all to conduct the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

The CEO also stated, there was an attempt to give political color to Pranajit Namasudra’s murder at Surma. But the deceased and the other FIR named accused persons had altercations on December 31 night and on January 17 night following financial disputes; both the cases were recorded at Kamalpur police station.

Based on the FIR lodged by the victim’s family, four out of six named accused persons were arrested in connection with the murder incident, the CEO said.

Speaking to the media, he also said that a meeting with various political parties was conducted on the Model Code of Conduct.

He also said, the election observers would start arriving in the state from Friday. The expenditure observers would arrive first.

West Tripura District Magistrate Debapriya Bardhan and SP West Shankar Debnath were also present in the press conference.