Tripura: A crowd gather in front of Bishalgarh police station after the clash
A clash broke out between Congress and BJP supporters in Tripura's Sepahijala district today, leaving several injured, including policemen. The Congress supporters said they were heading to state capital Agartala from Bishalgarh, 20 km away, to attend an event on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary.
The Congress supporters alleged BJP workers attacked one of their vehicles carrying people to Agartala to attend the event.
Crowds from both sides were seen on the road engaged in a clash. A sizeable police force that reached the site of the clash also came under attack.
Sources said the police had to eventually baton-charge the crowds to take the situation under control.
BJP supporters later protested outside Bishalgarh police station, seeking suspension of police officials. They also blocked the National highway in front of Bishalgarh police station.
West Tripura BJP MP Pratima Bhowmik rushed to the spot and spoke with party workers, sources said.
Ms Bhowmik said 15 BJP supporters were injured. She asked how the Congress could organise an event of this scale by calling supporters from other parts of the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when even for weddings the crowd limit has been set at 50, news agency Press Trust of India reported. She said the state also observed former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death anniversary with a limited number of people.
Congress leader Subal Bhowmik said two buses carrying party workers from south district bound for Agartala were stopped and thrashed by BJP workers. The Congress leader said 12 supporters were injured.
With inputs from PTI