Sonamura (Sepahijala): As many as 12 BJP workers have been left injured with three of them sustaining grievous injuries in a fierce face-off between the CPIM and BJP supporters at Dhanpur assembly constituency under Tripura's Sepahijala district on Monday.
Eyewitnesses said it was the first major show of strength by the Left after the BJP-IPFT government came to power. According to local sources, the former chief minister and leader of the opposition Manik Sarkar went to Dhanpur to attend a pre-scheduled party programme. But, as soon as his convoy reached the Bashpukur area, around five to six kilometres away from the destination, a large crowd of BJP supporters gathered in order to prevent Sarkar from entering his own constituency.
Subsequently, the police were informed and after arrival, the higher police officials of the subdivision also suggested Sarkar not to proceed as it could result in a law and order crisis. According to a CPIM statement, Sarkar told the officials to ensure his safety and security. As Sarkar was busy in an argument with police, hundreds of CPIM workers armed with long and round-shaped wooden sticks assembled at the spot and encircled Sarkar.
The Left cadres created a protective shield kind of setting to safeguard Sarkar and started a rally. Sarkar did care a little about police's advice and led the rally that marched five kilometres to meet in a mass deputation at Kathalia block office.
It was during the rally, violent confrontations broke out between the supporters but for a change, this time the ruling BJP was at the receiving end of the blows. Party's flags were uprooted, houses, motorcycles and shops were vandalized and as many as twelve BJP supporters had been rushed to hospital for treatment.
After the mass deputation, Sarkar addressed a public gathering at Dhanpur market. He appreciated the role CPIM cadres played in preventing the "miscreants" and urged workers of other parts of the state to take inspiration for them. "You are the heroes and heroines of the show," he told party workers.
Meanwhile, BJP sharply reacted to the violence and said that it was just a part of a well-orchestrated conspiracy planned and executed well by none other than former chief minister Sarkar. "This was an eye-opener for all to understand in what low the CPIM and Manik Babu can go. Just to regain power, the CPIM is trying to create unrest in the state and BJP being in power will never let that happen," said Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
"Our organization is also capable of replying to them in the same language but being a responsible party having a firm belief in democracy, our workers restrained themselves from indulging in violence," said Chowdhury. The BJP will organise a mammoth protest rally condemning the incident on September 8.
