Agartala, April 21: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has directed police officials to take stringent action against those involved in the violence that erupted following the announcement of results for the politically significant Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.
The TTAADC comprises 30 members, including 28 elected representatives and two appointed by the state government. It administers nearly 70 percent of Tripura’s total geographical area of 10,491 square kilometers, making it the second most important constitutional body in the state after the assembly.
After meeting with BJP workers and supporters affected by the violence at a hostel in Agartala, the Chief Minister stated that such incidents will not be tolerated. He mentioned, “I will convene a meeting with the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and other senior officials to review the situation.”
Speaking to the media, Saha emphasized that the BJP cannot be suppressed by intimidation, violence, or terror tactics. He stated, “The blessings of the people are our greatest strength.”
Referring to the aftermath of the 2018 and 2023 Tripura assembly elections, the Chief Minister noted that efforts have been made to restore peace in the state, rising above political vendettas. He added, “Still, some groups resort to violence to maintain their dominance. The state government is fully committed to taking strict legal action against anyone who disrupts law and order.”
Saha assured that immediate steps would be taken to ensure the rehabilitation and safety of those affected by the violence. He stated, “Under the Tripura Public Property Damage Recovery Act 2021, individuals responsible for damaging public property will be held accountable. Compensation will be recovered from them and distributed among the affected families.”
In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister announced that 258 families would receive assistance in the first phase. He mentioned, “An amount of ₹6.45 million has been approved from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to provide relief and support to them.”
Earlier, state BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Bhattacharjee also met with party workers who reportedly fled their homes due to violence allegedly perpetrated by TMP workers. He noted that hundreds of BJP workers and supporters became homeless in various parts of the state following the announcement of results.
Bhattacharjee stated that the Chief Minister would convene a high-level meeting to assess the situation. He further alleged that the house of BJP candidate Abhijit Debbarma from the Jirania seat in West Tripura was vandalized, and his parents were attacked by suspected TMP supporters.
BJP leaders visited the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel in Agartala, where victims of the violence have sought refuge. They reassured those affected that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure their safe return as soon as possible.
Following the results announcement, TMP chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma urged party workers to refrain from violence. The former royal family member told the media, “We should fight against Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan and Bangladesh. We should not fight among ourselves. If one community fights another, it will be detrimental to all of us.”
The TMP, a partner in the BJP-led coalition government, won 24 out of 28 seats in the TTAADC elections, leaving the BJP with only four seats.
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