Eight illegal party offices demolished in Tripura

Agartala, May 7: The BJP-IPFT coalition government has launched a massive demolition drive in a bid to restore government lands, which were illegally occupied by various political parties and trade union organizations affiliated to the political parties. 

The district administration launched the drive early in the morning on Monday at the Old Motor stand area in Agartala, and demolished at least eight structures belonging to organizations affiliated to the CITU and INTUC. 

The demolition drive continued for nearly three hours amid tight security and Section 144 was imposed in the area to prevent any unwanted incidents. Bulldozers and heavy chained vehicle rammed the buildings and wooden structures, giving the area a devastated look. 

Police cordoned off the entire area and the traffic was diverted to other roads. 

Dstrict Magistrate of West Tripura Milind Rantake said the demolition drives was undertaken as per government’s decision to restore all government lands that under illegal possession of political parties and their affiliated organizations. 

He said altogether 104 cases of illegal possession have been identified in his district and all would be demolished. Earlier, the administration issued a notice alerting all illegal occupants to clear the land within seven which ended on Sunday.

 Former minister and president of COTU Manik Dey and Lok Sabha member Shankar Datta reached to the spot and condemned the government’s move. The alleged the move was an attempt to destroy the democratic atmosphere of the State. Pradesh Congress President Birajit Sinha also condemned the move.