Agartala: Police resorted to a lathi charge and fired four blank rounds to disperse a mob after clashes broke out between two groups linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over a dispute related to a government tender in Kailashahar town of Tripura’s Unakoti district on Friday, officials said.
The violence erupted at the Katal Dighir Par area under the jurisdiction of Kailashahar police station. According to police and local sources, BJP Kailashahar Mandal president Pritam Ghosh was assaulted during the clash, while the residence of BJP Yuva Morcha president Arup Dhar was allegedly attacked. Several motorcycles and at least one residential dwelling were also damaged in the incident.
Sources said the confrontation stemmed from rivalry between supporters of two factions over a tender, which escalated into street violence. Ghosh later told reporters that he had gone to the area after being informed by locals about alleged harassment of residents and claimed that he and his associates were attacked. He also said a police complaint would be filed naming those allegedly involved.
On receiving information, Unakoti district Superintendent of Police Sudhanbhika R, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rahul A, and Officer-in-Charge of Kailashahar police station Tapash Malakar rushed to the spot. To bring the situation under control, police carried out a lathi charge and fired four blank shots, officials said.
A large contingent of Tripura State Rifles personnel, district police and central force troopers was deployed in the area as a precautionary measure to prevent further violence and restore normalcy.
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Speaking to reporters, SDPO Rahul A said the situation became tense following clashes between two groups and that police took emergency action in accordance with established procedures. He said the exact sequence of events leading to the violence was yet to be ascertained and would be determined through a detailed investigation.
Both sides have levelled allegations against each other, he said, adding that the immediate priority of the administration was to maintain law and order. No arrests had been made so far, police said.
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