Political tension escalated in Khumulwng on Sunday night after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that its campaign decorations and promotional materials were vandalized shortly after Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha addressed a public meeting at the ADC headquarters.
According to BJP leaders, unidentified miscreants damaged party banners, flags, and other campaign materials in Khumulwng and adjoining areas following a major joining programme held earlier in the day. During the event, 113 families, representing nearly 482 voters, formally joined the BJP. Party sources claimed that many of the new entrants were former supporters of TIPRA Motha, making the incident politically sensitive.
In response to the alleged vandalism, BJP workers and supporters organized a protest rally in Khumulwng on Monday. The rally later culminated in the submission of a deputation at Radha Pur Police Station, where party leaders demanded swift and strict action against those responsible. The BJP has sought the arrest of the accused within 48 hours, warning that failure to do so could lead to further agitation.
In a strongly worded complaint, BJP leaders directly accused their coalition partner, TIPRA Motha, of being involved in the incident. They alleged that the act was a deliberate attempt to create unrest and undermine the BJP’s increasing influence in tribal-dominated areas, particularly ahead of key political developments.
The deputation was formally submitted to Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jirania, Sudhir Kumar, in the presence of BJP Mandai Mandal president, Takarjala Mandal president, and several other senior and local party leaders. They urged the police administration to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation.
Party functionaries described the incident as an effort to intimidate new BJP supporters and disrupt democratic political activity. They emphasized that such acts would not deter the party’s outreach efforts and called for upholding law and order in the region.
Meanwhile, police sources said the matter is under investigation and necessary steps are being taken to identify those involved.
