Four people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a clash between workers of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura’s Sipahijala district. The police gave this information on Thursday. There was a violent clash between CPI (M) and BJP workers in Charilam on Wednesday. In this violent clash, 75-year-old Shahid Miyan was killed, while 20 others including security personnel were injured. Many injured have been admitted to a government hospital in Agartala. A police officer said, “Four people, including supporters of both the parties, have been arrested. Three FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident and the rest of the accused will be arrested soon.
Police took suo moto cognizance of the attack on its personnel during this struggle and registered a case, but no one has been arrested so far. Former Finance Minister Bhanu Lal Saha had earlier said that hundreds of CPI(M) supporters had gathered at the party office in Charilam to send a delegation to the Block Development Officer with various demands, but suddenly “BJP-backed miscreants” hurled bombs at them and attacked them with sticks and stones. Attacked them with iron rods.
Deputy Chief Minister and Charilam MLA Jishnu Devvarma denied the allegation and on the contrary accused Saha of spreading violence ahead of next year’s assembly elections. He said the former minister was trying to establish control over the area with the help of hired goons and when BJP workers opposed his attempt on Wednesday, a clash broke out between the two sides. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Manik Sarkar condemned the incident after meeting his injured party workers at GBP Hospital.
