Political tension between BJP and Tipra Motha in Tripura halts traffic for hours on Khowai-Agartala highway after protest rally led by MLA Ranjit Debbarma. Police deploy heavy security as blockade sparks confrontation and counter-rally by BJP tribal wing.
Fresh political tension between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Tipra Motha Party led to a major disruption of vehicular movement along the Khowai-Agartala highway on Sunday, as protest rallies and counter-mobilizations brought traffic to a standstill for several hours.
The unrest began when supporters of Tipra Motha, led by MLA Ranjit Debbarma, organized a protest march in Khowai subdivision. The demonstration was aimed at a local BJP tribal wing leader, Prasenjit Debbarma, against whom Tipra Motha leaders claimed a local court had issued an arrest warrant.
As the rally progressed, hundreds of supporters gathered at Baijalbari and blocked the national highway, effectively halting traffic on the busy Khowai-Agartala route. Long queues of vehicles were seen stranded on both sides of the road, with commuters forced to wait for hours under the scorching sun as the blockade continued.
The situation escalated further when Bikash Debbarma, Tripura’s Tribal Welfare Minister, arrived in Khowai as part of a scheduled party campaign. His convoy became stranded amid the blockade, intensifying the political standoff. Eyewitnesses reported heated exchanges between party supporters, with tensions running high as both sides refused to back down.
Senior police officials, led by Ranaditya Das, Superintendent of Police of Khowai district, rushed to the spot to defuse the volatile situation. A large contingent of security personnel was deployed to ensure law and order and prevent any untoward incident. Police formed barricades and urged protestors to clear the highway to restore normal traffic movement.
Tipra Motha leaders alleged that despite a court warrant against Prasenjit Debbarma, the police had failed to take appropriate action. MLA Ranjit Debbarma publicly accused law enforcement authorities of shielding the BJP leader instead of carrying out their legal duties. The protestors demanded his immediate arrest, asserting that the rule of law must apply equally to all political figures.
However, there was no immediate response from Prasenjit Debbarma regarding the allegations. BJP sources dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and accused Tipra Motha of creating unrest for electoral gain.
As tensions mounted, a heated altercation broke out between police officials and Tipra Motha leaders, who expressed frustration over what they described as administrative inaction. Police officials maintained that they were acting within legal parameters and urged both parties to maintain peace.
Following the withdrawal of the blockade, BJP’s tribal wing organized a motorcycle rally from Baijalbari to Padmabil. The rally, attended by Minister Bikash Debbarma and Prasenjit Debbarma, covered the pre-decided route despite the earlier disruption. Party workers described the rally as a show of strength and unity in response to the protest.
Although the immediate crisis was eventually brought under control, the incident has underscored the fragile political climate in Tripura’s tribal belt. The confrontation not only disrupted daily life but also exposed deep-seated rivalries between the BJP and Tipra Motha, both of which hold significant influence among tribal voters in the state.
Political observers believe that such confrontations could intensify in the coming months as both parties attempt to consolidate their support base. Meanwhile, local residents expressed concern over the recurring disruptions, calling on political leaders to prioritize peace and development over street-level confrontations.
| Also Read: TTAADC Final Electoral Rolls to be published March 13 |
Normal traffic movement was restored only after several hours of negotiation and security intervention. Police officials confirmed that the situation is now under control but said that they remain on alert to prevent any fresh flare-ups.
