Agartala, Feb 14, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk
Key highlights: 10 injured, several shops looted, 3 bikes, one vehicle vandalized, security forces opened blank fire
Agartala, Feb 14: At least 10 people were injured as around 500 Tipra Motha supporters reportedly went on rampage in 1.5-km area at Lalsinghmura under Charilam assembly constituency on Tuesday.
Several shops were looted, three bikes and one vehicle were vandalized, the local BJP office was attacked and the common people had come under attack.
Tuesday was the last day of campaigning for the assembly polls.
A sense of panic gripped the people in the violence-hit area, security personnel including central forces were deployed in adequate numbers at mixed-populated areas soon after the incident. Police had to open blank fire to bring the situation under control.
The situation turned volatile at Lalsinghmura including the local market all of a sudden after the Tipra Motha works launched the organized attack. A good number of vendors, buyers and pedestrians were reportedly attacked. Even, some of the people who were inside their houses had come under attacks.
At least 10 people were injured while three of them were referred to GBP hospital in a critical condition. The panic-stricken people had taken shelter at the neighbouring paddy field.
The violence then hit parts of Rangapania where some of the shops were looted by the Tipra Motha workers.
Some of the affected traders alleged that the Tipra Motha workers came from a party rally and launched the attack in an organized manner.
A local source added that the incident had taken place after a group of four Tipra Motha workers was attacked by the local BJP supporters.
According to police, situation was well under control. Deployment of security personnel in adequate numbers was made in the area to avoid any further untoward incident.
Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in a social media post commented, “There is a clear attempt to create tension in Charilam by BJP. I appeal to all that any reaction from our workers will only help them create polarisation. Please stay calm and understand that they want violence so that they can divide the Tiprasa/ Bengali unity in the area.”