Tripura Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury has raised concerns over incidents of violence reported during Monday’s Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), while acknowledging the efforts of the police and civil administration to conduct the polls.
His remarks came after a firing incident in Gomati district left a Tipra Motha candidate and two others injured, while a separate clash at a strongroom resulted in injuries to Gomati Superintendent of Police Anirban Das and other police personnel. Police said investigations were underway to identify those responsible.
“Attacks on officials should not take place. The police and civil administration have been working to conduct the election process impartially,” Chaudhury said, calling for any attempt to obstruct the electoral process to be dealt with according to law.
Chaudhury alleged that the law-and-order situation had deteriorated since the BJP came to power in Tripura. He also questioned whether political influence could affect police action in connection with allegations involving BJP supporters near a strongroom.
The CPI(M) leader specifically referred to the incident at Warengbari in Gomati, where a Tipra Motha candidate was injured in alleged firing during polling. Police said one person sustained a gunshot injury and two others were also injured, while efforts were underway to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
Chaudhury further alleged that vehicles carrying people from outside the area had arrived and attempted to interfere with polling. He claimed that vehicle registration numbers had been recorded and alleged that many of those involved were BJP supporters. The allegations were not independently verified.
A separate confrontation was reported near the Gamaria school strongroom in Gomati, where SP Anirban Das and other police personnel were injured during a clash with political activists, according to officials.
Despite the incidents, Chaudhury highlighted the high voter participation as a positive feature of the elections. He said the turnout reflected strong public participation and voters’ willingness to exercise their democratic rights.
The Village Committee polls recorded more than 80 per cent turnout across the tribal areas, although isolated incidents of violence were reported in Gomati district.
The incidents have renewed attention on security arrangements and the role of the police and civil administration in maintaining a peaceful and impartial electoral process in the TTAADC areas.
