More than 30 people were injured including three journalists, 10 houses were set ablaze and a few motorbikes were destroyed in series of attacks since December 20 noon following a scuffle between the cadres of ruling BJP and opposition CPI-M in Agartala.
Reports of violence came from Khayerpur area in the eastern part of the Tripura capital.
Police said the attacks continued till midnight in eastern Agartala but after the movement of additional forces, the situation was brought under control. Nobody was arrested so far in connection with the case; however, police launched an investigation.
CPI-M, BJP blame each other for Agartala violence
CPI-M leader Pabitra Kar alleged that supporters of his party were attacked by BJP cadres when CPI-M was organizing a commemorative meeting in his house in memory of the 30 martyred farmers in presence of police.
The miscreants stormed the house with arms in broad daylight and attacked the meeting that left many people injured. The attackers fled when CPI-M resorted to counter-attack.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee rejected the allegations and said that the opposition CPI (M) leaders and workers were trying to create violent activities that left as many as eight of their party men injured.
Kar further alleged that BJP workers also damaged two vehicles and 10 two-wheelers, parked near the venue of the meeting that was organised as part of the countrywide programme.
Three journalists were also injured when they were covering the event in Agartala.
“We have informed the senior police officials including additional director general (law and order) Rajiv Singh to take action against the BJP hooligans. Police are also helpless as the BJP government in Tripura did not allow the police to act as per the law,” the CPI-M leader said.
According to reports, BJP supporters assembled in the nearby localities in eastern Agartala late at night and attacked the families of CPI-M supporters and set at least 10 houses on fire while the residents fled from their houses. Later, police went to the spot and dispersed the gathering.
Fear gripped the area and most of the shops remained closed on December 21 morning despite sufficient security coverage.
