On the day of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Village Committee elections, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha appealed to voters to cast their ballots freely and without fear, while strongly condemning the alleged attack on the convoy of former Chief Minister and senior CPIM leader Manik Sarkar in Bamutia on Sunday.

Speaking to the reporters after an event in Agartala, Dr. Saha said he had personally sought details of the incident and was informed by police that Sarkar had been provided with a double escort. “I immediately inquired, and the police department informed me that he was provided with a double escort. He himself admitted that the police had done an excellent job,” the Chief Minister stated.

Dr. Saha noted that different accounts had emerged regarding the gathering at Kalibazar, with some linking it to the 10,323 teachers’ issue and others to the Rose Valley scam. He stressed, however, that such incidents were unacceptable, “Regardless of who was present, it is not desirable for things to happen this way; such conduct is not part of our culture.”

Turning to the ongoing elections, being held after a decade, Dr. Saha urged voters to step out and participate. “Please go to your polling stations and cast your votes without any worry. Elections should be conducted in a festive atmosphere. You are free to vote for any candidate of your choice. Voting is your duty, but it is also your right,” he said. He added that the Director General of Police had assured him polling was proceeding peacefully across the state.

Dr. Saha emphasised that the choices made by voters would determine who represents their constituencies and contributes to local development.

He also highlighted the ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, launched to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service, noting that the month‑long programme had seen active participation from social organisations. “Since we launched this campaign, they too have taken the initiative to become an integral part of it. I extend my sincere thanks to them,” he said, adding that the initiative was fostering visible social transformation.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come at a crucial juncture, as Tripura conducts elections across 587 Village Committees, covering 4,597 seats in 2,634 constituencies, with nearly 9.62 lakh voters eligible to exercise their franchise through ballot papers.