Image Courtesy:indianexpress.com
It was cadres of the Sangh Parivar in Tripura who reportedly attacked CPI (M) leader and former Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar on his visit to Shanti Bazar in Agarthala earlier in the day. According to media reports, in complete violation of Covid protocol, a sizable no. of BJP workers including women lay in wait at the venue well ahead of the visit As MLA Manik Sarkar, who is also the state Opposition Leader, arrived with Deputy Oppn Leader, Badal Chowdhary and other comrades, the miscreants pelted stones, bottles and used sticks to attack. Two vehicles were destroyed in the violence. Badal Choudhary was injured after a bottled hit him on the forehead. Sudhan Das and senior CPI (M) leader Tapas Datta also claimed to have been hit by stones. Two vehicles were destroyed and somehow the local leaders managed to escape.
The CPI (M) has released video footage showing BJP workers throng menacingly toward Manik Sarkar during the attack.. Police reached the scene and hurried everybody away into their vehicles. Earlier, BJP workers had attacked homes of CPI (M) workers who observed Karl Marx’s birth anniversary on 5th of May. CPI (M) demanded strict action against perpetrators including arrests.
Meanwhile the Polit Bureau of the CPI (M) has strongly condemned the attack by BJP hoodlums on former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI (M) Polit Bureau member, Manik Sarkar at Santirbazar, South Tripura. A statement released by the party said that “In a programme permitted by the Tripura Police and the administration, Manik Sarkar and the opposition team was physically attacked and prevented from visiting the houses of some party leaders and cadres and supporters who were subjected to attacks earlier. The BJP, showing its true character and colour, is not allowing any democratic activity of the opposition in Tripura. This is unacceptable and will be resisted and rebuffed.”