Agartala, September 29: BJP and CPI(M) leaders in Tripura on Tuesday visited hospitals to meet workers and candidates injured in violence during Monday’s Village Committee elections, with the rival parties seeking investigations and giving different accounts of the incidents.
Tripura BJP president and MLA Abhishek Debroy visited GBP Hospital in Agartala and met injured party workers undergoing treatment. He enquired about their condition and interacted with their family members, assuring them of necessary support.
Debroy described the incident as “deeply shocking” and called for an impartial investigation.
He said the BJP had directed its workers to maintain peace during polling and claimed that the election process remained peaceful in most parts of the state.
“This was a sudden attack, a conspiracy. The police are investigating, and the truth will come out,” Debroy told reporters.
The BJP leader said one of the injured youths was from his constituency and expressed distress over the incident.
“He is a good boy, my own constituency’s son. I was so distressed last night that I couldn’t sleep,” he said.
Debroy also assured the youth’s family that he would extend all possible assistance in his capacity as the elected representative.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury visited Gomati District Hospital and met an injured Tipra Motha candidate and other workers.
Chaudhury alleged that 10–12 vehicles carrying people from outside the area had reached the Surma polling centre and claimed that their presence was intended to influence the election.
He said local residents resisted their presence, following which violence broke out. According to Chaudhury, a candidate was shot and two other persons sustained injuries.
The CPI(M) leader also referred to videos circulating on social media, claiming they showed BJP supporters attempting to enter polling areas and cast fraudulent votes. He demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Chaudhury further alleged that a confrontation occurred near a strong room when supporters of different parties sought to monitor the movement of ballot boxes. Police personnel were allegedly attacked while trying to intervene.
He said the willingness of voters to exercise their franchise despite the incidents demonstrated their commitment to the electoral process.
“The enthusiasm among people to cast their votes, even after such incidents, shows their strong commitment to democracy,” Chaudhury said.
The violence has put the spotlight on security arrangements for the TTAADC Village Committee elections, which were conducted after nearly a decade.
The BJP, CPI(M), Congress, Tipra Motha and other parties are contesting the polls. The allegations and incidents are expected to be examined by the police and election authorities.
