Opposition CPI(M) has strongly condemned the physical attack on its representatives inside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Santirbazar, on September 16, when CPI(M) leaders attended an all-party meeting convened by the Election Registration Officer (ERO) and SDM regarding the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

CPI(M) leaders including Balaram Reang, SDC Secretariat Member, Ashish Paul, and Prasun Reang, both Sub-Divisional Committee members, were brutally assaulted and grievously injured by alleged BJP-backed miscreants inside the SDM office premises. The victims were rushed to the District Hospital, Santirbazar, but even there the attackers reportedly attempted to target them again in the presence of police and administrative officials.

After the incident CPI(M) state secretary and opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury contacted the District Magistrate, South Tripura, urging him to ensure the safety of the injured leaders. Following this, the hospital authorities referred Balaram Reang and Prasun Reang to GB Hospital in Agartala, for advanced treatment.

While, Chaudhury in a letter to the Chief Secretary, JK Sinha alleged that despite the presence of officials, no FIR was filed and no arrests were made against the perpetrators, who are said to be well-known faces in the locality. The party accused the ruling BJP of shielding the culprits and undermining democratic values by allowing such attacks on opposition leaders even within government offices and hospitals.

Terming the incident audacious and disgraceful, the CPI(M) called it a serious threat to democracy in Tripura. The party urged Chief Secretary JK Sinha as the head of the state administration to take immediate and strict action against the miscreants to restore public faith in law and order.

He hoped the highest authority of the administration will act against the perpetrators at the earliest so that the people of the state don’t lose faith in governance and the police.