CPM alleges 240 people injured in post-poll violence in Tripura, BJP warns party members against creating unrest

Agartala: The Tripura Police on Monday said it has received four complaints of “post-poll” violence from various parts of the state since Sunday night. [caption id=“attachment_4343907” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The state witnessed a change in rule after 25 years in the recently concluded Assembly elections. The BJP demolished the Left citadel in Tripura, winning a two-thirds majority with its ally, the IPFT. “The cases include arson at two CPM offices in the Sidhai area in West Tripura district, 25 km from Agartala, and clashes between CPM and BJP supporters at Kadamtala in North Tripura district, 140km from Agartala,” Superintendent of Police (Control) Pradip De said, adding that no one had been arrested so far. The BJP has warned its leaders and supporters of “stern” action if they indulged in “post-poll violence” in Tripura. A section of unidentified BJP supporters, who migrated from the CPM, were creating unrest in parts of the state, BJP vice-president Subal Bhowmick said at a press meet on Monday. “Anyone found to be involved in post-poll violence would be immediately expelled and legal action will be initiated against them,” he said. The CPM alleged that the supporters and activists of the BJP-Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) alliance were terrorizing its workers and burning party offices since the announcement of poll results on 3 March. CPM office secretary Haripada Das said over 240 people were injured in attacks on party offices, offices of Left trade unions and homes of prominent leaders in the last 48 hours. Bhowmick said the situation was being closely monitored by the party and no one would be spared if they were found creating tension in the state. He alleged that the CPM activists, too, “assaulted” 49 of its party supporters, 17 of whom had to be hospitalized.