Violence erupted in Udaipur’s Gamaria during Tripura Village Committee polls after a Tipra Motha candidate was shot. Gomati SP Anirban Das was injured and the Udaipur SDPO’s car was vandalised as security forces were deployed to control the situation.
Tension escalated in Udaipur subdivision of Tripura on Monday after a Tipra Motha Party candidate was injured in an alleged firing incident during the Village Committee elections, followed by clashes, stone-pelting and vandalism in the Gamaria area. Gomati district Superintendent of Police Anirban Das was reportedly injured in the head during the subsequent violence, while the official vehicle of Udaipur Sub-Divisional Police Officer Debanjali Roy was vandalised.
The firing incident took place earlier in the afternoon at Warengbari under the jurisdiction of R.K. Pur police station, amid polling for Village Committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Police sources said the injured Tipra Motha candidate was identified as Khachindra Reang, who sustained a bullet-like injury around his waist. Two other persons were also reported injured in the incident.
According to reports, Reang was initially taken to a local health facility before being shifted to Gomati District Hospital in Udaipur. Doctors reportedly attempted to remove the bullet but later referred him to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala for advanced treatment. Local BJP MLA and senior leader Ram Pada Jamatia visited the injured candidate at the hospital and said his condition was stable and that he was responding to visitors.
Following the firing, tension reportedly spread across the area. The situation became more volatile after rumours circulated that the injured candidate had died. A large gathering of local residents and supporters subsequently assembled in the Gamaria Village Committee area and launched protests.
According to local reports, protesters blocked the Udaipur-Amarpur road and demanded action in connection with the firing. During the unrest, a mob allegedly attacked security personnel with stones. Gomati district SP Anirban Das sustained a head injury, while the vehicle of SDPO Debanjali Roy was vandalised. Security forces, including CRPF personnel, Tripura Police and Tripura State Rifles personnel, were deployed to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The police have launched an investigation into the firing as well as the subsequent violence. Authorities are also working to identify those involved in the attacks on security personnel and the vandalism.
The circumstances surrounding the firing remain under investigation. According to police-based reports, the incident occurred around 2 pm near the Warengbari polling centre. A group of unidentified individuals was reportedly involved in a confrontation near the polling station, following which firing took place. Police said they were investigating the identity of those involved and the exact circumstances leading to the injuries.
Tipra Motha supporters accompanying the injured candidate alleged that the confrontation involved activists associated with the BJP. However, the allegation has not been established by the police. Senior Tipra Motha leader and TTAADC Executive Member CK Jamatia said party workers had alleged that several persons arrived at the polling station in vehicles, leading to an argument and subsequent violence. He also said details of one vehicle had been shared with police for investigation.
Jamatia, however, said that identifying the perpetrators was the responsibility of the police and that the allegation regarding the involvement of BJP workers was an assumption made by local party workers. Police are expected to establish the identity and role of those involved through the investigation.
The incident comes as polling was underway across the TTAADC areas for Village Committees. The election has involved extensive security arrangements, with central forces, Tripura Police and Tripura State Rifles deployed at polling locations. According to a report quoting Chief Minister Manik Saha, polling had otherwise proceeded peacefully apart from the reported incident at Warengbari.
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The latest developments have placed Udaipur under heightened security, with senior administrative and police officials attempting to pacify protesters and restore normal movement on the affected road. The authorities are also monitoring the situation closely to prevent further clashes.
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Meanwhile, MDC Suraj Debbarma reportedly left for GB Pant Hospital in Agartala to receive the injured candidate. Further developments are expected as police continue their investigation into the firing, the identities of those involved and the subsequent attacks on security personnel.
