A violent clash erupted between two factions of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in Dharmanagar over district committee formation, prompting police lathi charge and three arrests. The situation is now under control but tensions remain high.
Internal dissent within the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) — one of the largest trade unions affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — took a violent turn on Saturday in Dharmanagar, North Tripura. A clash broke out between two rival factions over the formation of the district committee, resulting in a chaotic street confrontation and police intervention.
The incident unfolded outside the BMS office near the new Motor Stand area, a usually busy commercial locality. According to eyewitnesses, the dispute, initially verbal, rapidly escalated into a full-blown physical altercation as members from both groups exchanged blows and hurled accusations over alleged irregularities in the committee selection process.
Factional Rift Turns Violent
Sources within the organization said the clash stemmed from long-brewing internal tensions between the incumbent leadership and a dissident faction that accused the existing committee of bypassing democratic norms in finalizing the district body. The factional differences, which had reportedly been simmering for weeks, erupted publicly after a failed reconciliation meeting.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as members began shouting slogans and pushing each other outside the BMS office. The situation spiraled out of control when a few individuals allegedly resorted to physical confrontation. Local traders and pedestrians in the vicinity scrambled for safety as the brawl intensified.
Police Intervention and Arrests
Dharmanagar Police swiftly reached the spot and attempted to defuse the confrontation. However, as the mob grew aggressive and the altercation turned increasingly violent, police personnel were forced to resort to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
North Tripura Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed that three individuals were detained from the scene for their alleged involvement in the violence. “We have taken three persons into custody for instigating the clash. The situation is now under control, and additional personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent any further escalation,” the SP said.
The detainees were later taken to Dharmanagar Police Station for questioning. Authorities indicated that further legal action would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Tension Lingers Despite Police Control
Though calm was restored following the police intervention, local residents reported an uneasy atmosphere in the area. Many shopkeepers in and around the new Motor Stand locality closed their shutters early, fearing renewed unrest.
Residents expressed concern that the violent display could damage the image of a trade union traditionally known for its disciplined cadre and close ideological alignment with the larger Sangh Parivar framework.
A local BMS member, requesting anonymity, said, “This kind of public confrontation is unprecedented in our organization. The disagreement should have been handled internally, not in the streets. It sends a wrong message to workers and the public.”
Political and Organizational Repercussions
The incident has drawn attention from senior leaders within the state BMS and BJP circles, who are reportedly attempting to mediate between the rival factions to prevent further embarrassment. Sources suggest that a senior BMS state coordinator is expected to visit Dharmanagar soon to conduct an internal review of the circumstances leading to the clash.
Observers note that such factional rivalries are not uncommon within large trade unions, especially during committee reconstitution processes, where local influence, loyalty networks, and political alignments often come into play. However, the public nature of this confrontation has raised questions about internal discipline and organizational control.
Official Reactions and Next Steps
Police officials stated that preventive measures have been taken to ensure peace in the area, including increased patrolling and temporary restrictions on gatherings near the BMS office. The administration has urged both factions to cooperate with law enforcement and resolve internal matters peacefully.
As of Sunday, no major untoward incident had been reported, and the situation remained stable though tense.
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The BMS leadership is expected to issue an official statement clarifying the status of the district committee formation and addressing concerns raised by members to restore unity within the organization.
For now, Dharmanagar continues to witness an undercurrent of tension as both factions regroup and assess the fallout from a clash that has momentarily shaken one of the country’s most prominent trade unions.
