Post-poll violence

Left-BJP blame game continues, Lenin statue bulldozed in Tripura

Rajnath speaks to Tripura governor and DGP; asks to check violence

post-poll-violence-tripura-pti [File] A CPI(M) party worker gets injured after a lathi charge by police personnel, due to a clash between CPI(M) and BJP supporters | PTI

The BJP and Left continue to throw barbs and accuse each other for rampant post-poll violence that has erupted in Tripura after Saturday's election results. The Tripura Police said it has received four complaints of "post-poll" violence from various parts of the state since Sunday night.

"The cases include arson at two CPI(M) offices in the Sidhai area in West Tripura district, 25 km from here, and clashes between CPI(M) and BJP supporters at Kadamtala in North Tripura district, 140km from here," Superintendent of Police (Control) Pradip De said, adding that no one had been arrested so far. A statue of Left icon Lenin was demolished at Belonia town in South Tripura with the help of a bulldozer. 

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to the state governor and the DGP and asked them to ensure peace till a new government is installed, an official said.

During the telephonic calls, Governor Tathagata Roy and DGP A.K. Shukla apprised the Union home minister about the prevailing situation in Tripura and steps taken to control the violence, which erupted following the BJP-IPFT alliances victory over the CPI-M, ousting the Manik Sarkar-led government in the just concluded assembly elections.

Singh asked the governor and the DGP to check all kinds of violence and ensure peace till a new government is installed in Tripura, the home ministry official said.

While the BJP has warned its leaders and supporters of "stern" action if they indulged in "post-poll violence" in Tripura, BJP Vice President Subal Bhowmick said a section of unidentified BJP supporters, who migrated from the CPI(M), were creating unrest in parts of the state. "Anyone found to be involved in post-poll violence would be immediately expelled and legal action will be initiated against them," he said.

The CPI(M) alleged that the supporters and activists of the BJP-Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) alliance were terrorising its workers and burning party offices since the announcement of poll results on March 3.

CPI(M) office secretary Haripada Das said over 240 people were injured in attacks on party offices, offices of Left trade unions and homes of prominent leaders in the last 48 hours.

Bhowmick said the situation was being closely monitored by the party and no one would be spared if they were found creating tension in the state.

He alleged that the CPI(M) activists, too, "assaulted" 49 of its party supporters, 17 of whom had to be hospitalised.