Tempo for by-election rises amid tensions

A Correspondent

Agartala: Election tempo is gaining momentum in all the urban centers across the state as filing of nomination has started for the by-election for vacant seats of the civic bodies which is scheduled to be held on December 23.

This by-election assumed special significance as polling is going to be held in more than 50 per cent of seats which will change the power structure of as many as 14 civic bodies in the state.

As their campaign strategy the ruling BJP is organizing large rallies in all the sub-divisions to demonstrate their organizational strength.

On the other hand the CPI (M) and Congress has alleged that the ruling party has unleashed a ring of terror and many of their candidates are being prevented from filing nomination.

A report received from Teliamura said two CPI(M) and one Congress leader, all of whom were prospective candidates of their party, were attacked on Thursday night.

A statement issued by the CPI(M) state committee said a group miscreants attacked the houses of two party leaders Tutan Das and Deepak Das, ransacked the properties and manhandled them. Both the leaders are now under treatment at GB Hospital in Agartala.

Similarly, Shantu Bhattacharjee who is also the President of the Block Congress Committee, was attacked by miscreants. In response Tripura Congress condemned the incident and also criticized the role of police who are not taking any action despite filing of allegations.

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