AGARTALA: Tensions surfaced within Tripura’s ruling alliance on Tuesday after Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) General Secretary Swapan Debbarma alleged that he was attacked by miscreants near the Hezamara Block office while travelling towards Khowai district, on the last day for filing nominations for the Village Committee elections.
Debbarma alleged that he was pulled out of his vehicle and assaulted by a group allegedly linked to alliance partner Tipra Motha, sustaining a head injury in the process. He was first taken to Hezamara Primary Health Centre, then referred to Mohanpur Sub-Divisional Hospital, before being shifted to GBP Hospital in Agartala for further treatment.
Cooperative Minister and senior IPFT leader Shukla Charan Noatia rushed to the hospital along with party workers and supporters on receiving news of the incident. Noatia condemned the attack as “brutal,” saying political violence had no place in the democratic process, and appealed to all sides to maintain peace.
The BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT are alliance partners contesting the Village Committee elections together, and the incident has raised concerns over tensions within the ruling coalition ahead of the September 28 polls.