By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 13, 2024
Agartala, July 13 (FD) The opposition CPI-M in Tripura on Saturday submitted a four point charter of demands to the State Election Commission (SEC) for peace in the run-up to the three-tier Panchayat polls scheduled for August 8.
Addressing a press conference, Secretary of the state unit of the party and former minister Jiten Chowdhury alleged that the ruling BJP workers had let loose a reign of terror ever since the notification for the election was effected.
“Opposition party candidates are not able to file nomination papers and campaign peacefully as the ruling party activists were attacking them taking the advantage of the fragile law and order”, alleged.
Meanwhile, a CPI (M) Zilla Parishad candidate in Belonia subdivision of South Tripura district, Badal Shil (49),who was injured in an attack by the alleged BJP miscreants at Raj Nagar area yesterday died in GBP hospital here today.
CPI (M) candidates for 13 Panchayat Samiti seats and 123 Gram Panchayat seats were attacked, when they were on their way to submit their nomination yesterday, party sources said.
Several CPI-M workers and leaders including Badal Shil were injured seriously and were admitted to Belonia hospital from where he was shifted to GB hospital here. He died in the hospital this afternoon, police said.
Chowdhury said their demands included extension of date for filing nomination for Panchayat polls by a week till July 25 as the law and order situation has deteriorated.
Setting up of a separate and additional counter in each office of district magistrates and collectors for filing nomination.
Provision for police escort to candidates during submission of nomination by them and during their return from offices of BDOs. The last demand is creating a peaceful situation before the all BDO offices and their peripheries so that candidates can file their nomination peacefully.
Meanwhile , the PCC president Asish Kumar Saha yesterday led a party delegation in a deputation with the DGP Amitava Ranjan. He cited concrete instances of BJP attacks on Congress workers and supporters and destruction of property and the inert role of police. The DGP is reported to have assured the PCC president and members of his delegation that he will ensure proper discharge of duties by the police personnel at all levels. FD JK