Tripura witnessed violence during VC election counting, with one person killed after a lathi-charge and the IG Law and Order’s vehicle attacked in Kathalia. Political tensions, road blockades and clashes were reported at multiple counting centres across the state.
Violence was reported from several parts of Tripura on Monday during the counting of votes for the VC elections, leaving one person dead and several others injured. The incidents also saw the vehicle of Inspector General of Police (IG) Law and Order Ipper Manchak come under attack in Kathalia, while tension, stone pelting and road blockades were reported near some counting centres.
The death occurred at Tulasikhar in Khowai district after a stampede-like situation reportedly developed following a police lathi-charge. The deceased was identified as Matilal Karmakar, who senior Tipra Motha leaders in Khowai said was an active worker of the party.
According to Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, a group of people had gathered at the location and allegedly resorted to stone pelting, following which security personnel used a mild lathi-charge to control the situation.
“I have been informed about the incident. So far I know, some people gathered here and indulged in stone pelting prompting the security personnel to resort to mild lathi charge. The intensity of the action taken by the security forces was mild,” Saha said.
He added that a stampede-like situation developed soon afterwards as people began dispersing in different directions. Karmakar reportedly fell on the earthen surface during the incident and suffered serious injuries.
The injured man was initially taken to Khowai hospital and later referred to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala. He died while being shifted to the state capital, according to the Chief Minister.
Expressing grief over the death, Saha said the incident was unfortunate and assured that the government would stand beside the bereaved family.
“I am not fully aware of the deceased person’s political affiliation but we shall definitely stand beside the bereaved family,” the Chief Minister said.
He also criticised the alleged stone pelting and violation of security instructions during the vote-counting process, saying such incidents were unnecessary.
“Such sort of activities are completely unnecessary when the election results are going in our favour. We are extremely sorry for the unfortunate death of the person,” Saha said.
However, Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma alleged that Karmakar died because of excessive force used by BSF personnel deployed for security arrangements. Debbarma claimed that the party possessed video evidence showing security personnel allegedly beating Karmakar with lathis.
“We have video evidence of BSF personnel beating him with lathis. Due to the brutal force used against him, one of our active warriors Matilal Karmakar lost his life,” Debbarma alleged.
The MLA said the party would take legal action after completion of the post-mortem and other formalities. He said the death was particularly painful for the party as counting was proceeding peacefully in most parts of the state.
The allegations made by the Tipra Motha leadership and the Chief Minister’s account differed on the circumstances surrounding the death, with the incident likely to remain a point of political contention.
IG Law and Order’s Vehicle Attacked in Kathalia
In a separate incident, the vehicle of IG Law and Order Ipper Manchak was attacked at Kathalia in Sepahijala district while the senior police officer was returning from a Village Committee election counting centre at Thalibari.
The incident occurred between Thalibari and Kathalia after Manchak visited Thalibari Class XII School, where counting was being conducted for 37 electoral areas covering five Village Committees — Kaichakhola, Jagat Rampur, Manai Pathar, Thalibari and Kali Khola.
According to local reports, attackers damaged the windows of the police officer’s vehicle. The identity of those responsible and the exact circumstances that led to the attack were not immediately clear.
Tension had reportedly prevailed around the counting centre since the morning. Road blockades were reported at several locations, while trees were allegedly cut down and placed across roads, disrupting movement in parts of Kathalia block.
The incidents prompted the deployment of additional police personnel in the area. Personnel from Jatrapur police station, along with senior officers from the sub-divisional and district police administration, were sent to the affected locations.
Sepahijala Additional Superintendent of Police Kudiyarsu also reached Kathalia to assess the situation. Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma later visited Jatrapur police station, where supporters of the CPI(M), Congress and BJP were reportedly protesting.
The SP assured those gathered that the situation outside the counting centre would be brought under control and that adequate arrangements would be made to ensure that the counting process continued smoothly.
Following the intervention of the police administration, counting officials and agents representing different political parties were escorted into the counting centre. The counting process subsequently continued inside the premises without further disruption, according to local reports.
Political Tensions During Counting
The violence and disruptions came as Tripura conducted counting for the Village Committee elections. Tensions were reported in different parts of the state, with allegations of political workers preventing opponents from entering counting centres, stone pelting and attempts to block roads leading to counting venues.
The incidents also reportedly involved clashes between workers and supporters of different political parties, including allegations concerning Tipra Motha workers. However, the specific responsibility for individual incidents remained subject to investigation.
Chief Minister Saha condemned the attack on the senior police official and said such incidents should not take place during the democratic process.
The Chief Minister also took a political swipe at the opposition, saying the CPI(M) and Congress had failed to perform as expected in the Village Committee elections. He noted that the polls were conducted through ballot papers rather than electronic voting machines.
“I hope the opposition is ready with a new script. Both CPIM and Congress have failed to put up a show and this time they don’t have the excuse of EVMs since the village polls are conducted through ballot papers,” Saha said.
He added that the opposition could still come up with explanations for its electoral performance.
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The Chief Minister maintained that the election results were broadly in line with expectations for the ruling NDA alliance, although he acknowledged that results in some areas did not match expectations because of a lack of coordination.
“What we have predicted well in advance is translating into reality. In some areas, due to absence of coordination, the results couldn’t match our expectations,” he said.
| Also Read: Tipra Motha founder Pradyot calls for peace during vote counting |
Meanwhile, the death at Tulasikhar and the attack on the IG’s vehicle have raised concerns over security arrangements surrounding the counting process. The competing claims regarding the circumstances of Karmakar’s death are also expected to draw further attention after the completion of the post-mortem and any subsequent investigation.
Authorities continued efforts to maintain order at counting centres and ensure that election officials and authorised counting agents could carry out the remaining process without further disruption.
