CPM-IPFT clash in Tripura

From a correspondent

Agartala, Sept 19: Over hundred people sustained injuries and dozens of vehicles were damaged as the supporters of the CPI (M) and IPFT clashed in different places of Khowai and Jirania sub-division.

Police had to resort to lathi charge in several places and section 144 was imposed to restore peace. Abhijit Saptarshi, SP (West) told the reporters that the situation is well under control though tension still prevails in different places.

The clash began when the CPI (M) supporters were coming towards Agartala to attend a rally that was being organized by the Gamukti Parishad, a tribal wing of the CPI (M). The IPFT workers reportedly prevented the vehicles from entering, thereby igniting tension. They were reportedly protesting as they were not allowed to organize a rally in Agartala on August 23 last.

More than hundred people, mostly GMP activists, sustained injuries in Tulasikhar , Behala Bari, Champahaor and Chhankhola in Khowai subdivision, and Champak gar, Khumlung, Jampui Jala, Belbari under Jirania subdivision .

In order to cope with the situation the police had to resort to lathi charges in Champak gar, Tulasikhar , Champahaor market, while prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in these three places as well as Khumlung.

The officer in charge of Champak gar police outpost also sustained injuries in IPFT attacks. According to latest reports, more than twenty GMP and IPFT workers are admitted in GBP hospital.

More than twenty motor vehicles carrying GMP supporters were broken and ransacked by the IPFT supporters, but a large number of vehicles from Ukoti, North Tripura, Dhalai and some places in south district could not reach the meeting venue at Agartala.

Veteran tibal leaders, Aghore Debbarma and Jiten Chowdhury condemned the attacks launched by IPFT but expressed happiness that braving all troubles and dangers, the GMP activists had arrived in the meeting. Reacting to spate of violent incidents today, former minister and CPI (M) MP Jiten Chowdhury, also the president of the GMP said that he had no word or sentence to condemn such disgraceful incidents that happened today.

The rally was addressed by minister Aghore Debbarma, MP and GMP president Jiten Chowdhury and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar . All of them asserted that the unruly IPFT elements, backed by BJP, had launched the attack on the GMP activists and supporters that came to take part in the rally.