Agartala: In the aftermath of a stern warning from Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha against coercive tactics for collecting Puja subscriptions, an unfortunate incident unfolded in Sepahijala District. Dulal Miah, Vice President of the Sepahijala District Congress, along with his son, was reportedly assaulted by a group of individuals at a local club. The altercation stemmed from Miah’s refusal to pay a Puja subscription amounting to Rs five lakh.
Following the brutal assault, Miah now finds himself under medical care at Tripura Medical College, situated in Hapania. Sahajahan Islam, Vice President of the Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress, shared this development with the media.
“On the evening of Wednesday, Miah was presented with a subscription request for the Durga Puja organized by the Juba Santha club in Routhkhala, Bishalgarh, within the Sepahijala district. The Puja organizers demanded a substantial sum of Rs five lakh as a subscription from Miah, which he vehemently declined. In retaliation for his refusal, Miah and his son were forcibly detained within the club premises and subjected to a violent assault,” Islam recounted.
The Congress leader sustained injuries during the incident and was subsequently transported to Tripura Medical College in Hapania for medical treatment. “Asish Kumar Saha, President of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee, visited him in the hospital. Saha strongly condemned the attacks on Congress members and characterized such actions as manifestations of the BJP’s aggressive political culture,” Islam added.
In the meantime, an official complaint has been filed with the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police in Sepahijala District, providing a detailed account of the entire episode. The Puja organizing committee has also been issued show-cause notices to explain their position on the matter.
