Election Commission of India (ECI)

The ECI had sent more than 100 companies of Central Paramilitary Force personnel two weeks ago to Tripura to ensure a violence-free election and they were deployed across the state under the jurisdiction of particular police stations, but the guiding police officers of Tripura have allegedly taken a partisan role in favor of the ruling part.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday directed Tripura’s chief secretary and director general of police to immediately remove three police officers for not taking appropriate action in case of an attack on a Congress rally held on January 18.

The action has been recommended against a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) in Jirania and the officers-in-charge of Jirania and Ranirbazar police stations.

Congress leaders and Ajay Kumar were injuries in the attack

Fifteen Congress leaders and workers, including AICC general secretary Ajay Kumar, suffered injuries in the attack, earlier this week, party MLA Sudip Roy Barman has claimed.

Shortly after the incident, the police registered three FIRs and arrested eight people for their alleged involvement.

“The chief secretary and the DGP were directed to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and to initiate strict action against partisan officers. The commission has directed them to take stringent action against the officers for not taking appropriate action in time,” ECE’s Joint Director Anuj Chandak said in a letter on Friday, ordering the suspension of Jirania SDPO along with the removal of OCs of two police stations.

According to Superintendent of Police (west) Sankar Debnath, three officers have been “closed”, and their replacements will take charge on Saturday.

EC appointed three special observers

The EC has also appointed three special observers — Yogendra Tripathy (IAS), Vivek Johri (IPS), and B Murli Kumar (IRS) – asking them to proceed to the state immediately to take stock of the situation, ensure proper deployment of central forces and intensify enforcement measures.

The chief secretary and the DGP shall immediately assess the threat perception to the leaders of various political parties in the state and provide security accordingly without further delay, Chandak said.