At least 19 people were left injured including the Tripura Congress chief Birajit Sinha following clashes between the supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress in front of the Congress Bhavan in Agartala on Sunday.
According to reports, police resorted to fire tear gas to disperse the mob after clashes erupted following the results of the by-polls for four assembly seats in the state. The area around Post Office Chowmuhani where the Congress Bhavan is located was deserted after the clashes.
The media in-charge of the Congress’ state unit, Asish Kumar Saha said that the party workers had just returned to the headquarters with winning candidate in Agartala, Sudip Roy Barman when they were attacked by a group of BJP supporters.
He said, “When they were preparing for lunch, a strong group of BJP supporters attacked Congress Bhavan. The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president was hit by bricks on his head while one Congress worker, identified as Romi Miah, was stabbed by BJP supporters.”
Saha alleged that the group led by a BJP Yuva Morcha leader hurled bricks at the building. Several vehicles parked in front of it were damaged, he said.
He further alleged the police of inaction even as the attack was underway.
However, the state information and cultural affairs minister, Sushanta Chowdhury leveled counter-allegations at the Congress stating that the workers of the grand old party attacked first. He said that bricks were hurled at the BJP corporator of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), Shilpi Sen, earlier in the day and that angered the BJP workers.
He said, “Around six of our party supporters were injured in the Congress-sponsored attack. They are trying to forge trouble after winning one out of four assembly seats in the bypolls. They are dreaming of returning to power with the help of CPI(M).”
Meanwhile, police informed that three people had been admitted to hospital with injuries but no FIR has been filed in the matter so far.
An official said,” The TPCC president has been admitted to a private hospital. The Congress supporter who was stabbed is also undergoing treatment. One BJP supporter, identified as Bishal Chakraborty, received head injuries and was administered 12 stitches.”
