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Tripura finds itself at a critical juncture, with its democratic structure under threat and citizens caught in the middle. The AICC Observers have alleged that these issues are deliberate outcomes engineered by the BJP-led government in the state. Speaking from the Pradesh Congress headquarters on Friday, the AICC Observers accused the state government of “non-cooperation” during their attempt to visit Gandacherra.
MP Gourav Gogoi, one of the AICC Observers, expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, “We came to assess the overall situation in Tripura and intended to visit the violence-stricken Gandacherra, but our trip was canceled due to non-cooperation from the state government.” He condemned the recent attacks on Congress leaders and workers ahead of the Panchayat elections, describing Tripura, a state known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse communities, as now struggling with rising tensions. Gogoi accused the BJP of undermining democracy, likening the situation to a “murder of democracy,” and praised Congress workers in Tripura as resilient “tigers.”
MP Tariq Anwar emphasized the seriousness with which the AICC views the issues in Tripura, pledging full support to the party in its fight against what he termed a “fascist force” in the interest of the common people. He highlighted an incident on July 12, when violence erupted in Gandacherra, leading to the death of a tribal youth and resulting in looting and arson that affected around 165 families. According to state government information, parts of Gandacherra were set ablaze, leaving a trail of destruction.
As the Panchayat elections approach, incidents of violence continue to plague the state. A CPIM candidate fell victim to political violence, and the homes of Congress leaders were burned. Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman was also attacked. Anwar criticized the state administration for playing the role of a silent spectator and for denying their visit to Gandacherra, raising further questions about the transparency and accountability of the BJP-led government.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman strongly criticized the role of the executive and the media, accusing them of succumbing to pressure from the BJP-led government. He stated, “From South Tripura to Dhalai, Congress candidates failed to submit nominations in 3,380 gram panchayat and panchayat samiti seats.” Barman claimed that the entire incident in Gandacherra was a political setup by the BJP for their vested interests.
TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha and AICC in-charge for Tripura Girish Chodankar were also present during the press conference.
