Tripura violence spirals, Congress claims attack by BJP men

AGARTALA: A day after the BJP alleged its workers were attacked by CPM cadres in North Tripura, the Congress claimed that its workers, who were on their way to file nominations for the upcoming panchayat elections, were attacked by BJP men in at least three places.
While two attacks allegedly took place at Boxanagar in West Tripura's Sonamura, another happened at Santchand Rural Development block of South Tripura, where the CPM said its cadres were also attacked.
The attacks took place in the afternoon and the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee later held protests at several locations in Boxanagar.
The BJP has denied the allegations and urged the opposition parties to participate in the panchayat polls. It said that, apart from the police, it will also provide its volunteers to give assistance and security to the opposition if needed.
The Congress said several of its workers were assaulted by BJP men in broad daylight and at least seven of their vehicles were ransacked. "BJP's rule is no better than that of the communists. They are murdering the spirit of democracy and behaving like fascists," said Congress vice-president Tapas Dey.
Left Front convener Bijan Dhar also alleged on Monday that BJP workers have not been allowing opposition parties to file nominations for the panchayat elections.
"Wherever the CPM and Congress have raised allegations of violence against us, it has been found that they were fighting amongst themselves. The CPM leaders have cheated their cadres by taking money from them for providing jobs and other government benefits and, after the BJP came to power, the victims are wearing saffron scarves to take revenge," said BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee.
He added that tension has been continuing in Bhagyapur village in North Tripura's Dharmanagar where BJP workers were allegedly attacked by CPM cadres on Sunday. At least 23 BJP workers were injured - four of them grievously.
The CPM alleged its office in the area was ransacked on Monday and at least three CPM men were beaten up by BJP workers. It also said its workers were not involved in the attack on BJP workers on Sunday. A CPM leader said the BJP workers were attacked by agitated villagers when 30-35 of them went into the house of deputy chief of the panchayat from CPM, Dulu Miah, to threaten him and keep him from participating in the panchayat elections.