BJP,IPFT express concern over growing clashes in the State

A CORRESPONDNET

Agartala, June 8: With both the BJP and the IPFT trying to dominate the rural-level committees, there have been growing incidents of clashes among the supporters of both the ruling alliance, causing concern among its leaders.

In fresh bout of incidents over the last three days, around seven persons sustained injuries as well as works in several block and panchyat offices suffered disruptions. Tension is still prevailing in different parts of the State.

The worst incidents have been reported from Lefunga block in Khowai district and Patichari, Manpathar and Bir Chandra Manu areas of South Tripura district.

In Lefunga, the IPFT supporters locked the block and several panchyat offices. In South Tripura district, the BJP supporters reportedly tried to resist IPFT supporters from proceeding towards the block office resulting in a clash among the supporters of both the parties.

In the last month, several such incidents took place after the State government issued a notification nominating Chairmen of 28 Block Advisory Committees. Though the notification was issued after discussion among the State leaders, the ground-level workers of the IPFT refused to accept it.

Convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the State on June 2, and had discussion with the leaders of both the parties in order to devise a formula regarding filling up of the posts of Chairmen of Block Development Committees and various corporations and boards.

Though the leaders agreed to the formula, they are finding it difficult to convince their ground-level workers. It is learnt that the IPFT workers are demanding that in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Areas all the BAC chairmen post must go in favour of the party, whereas local level BJP leaders are not ready to accept it.

Ananta Debbarma, general secretary of the IPFT, recently visited different areas of the South Tripura District and tried to convince its workers to adjust, which is needed in a coalition government.

In Khowai, the BJP MLA Krishnadhan Das and the IPFT MLA Brishaketu Debbarma j are ointly trying to mitigate the problem by holding discussions.