BJP men assaulted polling agents, alleges ally IPFT

The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), an ally of ruling BJP in the state, on Wednesday alleged that goons of the saffron party have assaulted its two polling agents during the polling in Dhalai district Tuesday.

The IPFT also put up a road blockade in the district to protest the alleged assault, which was denied by the BJP.

Polling for the East Tripura (ST) constituency was held on Tuesday. Though the voting in the seat was supposed to be held on April 18, the EC had deferred it to April 23 in view of law and order situation.

"Election agents of the IPFT were attacked by BJP backed goons at a polling booth at Raimavalley assembly segment. They are injured and hospitalised. Local IPFT leaders put up a road blockade at Gandacherra today in protest," IPFT spokesperson Mangal Debbarma said.

Officer-in-charge of Gandacherra police station, K K Uchoi said they blocked the road at 2 pm and it continued for several hours.

The IPFT is demanding immediate arrest of the accused, he said adding that BJP supporters also held road blockade on Tuesday night.

When contacted, BJP spokesperson Ashoke Sinha said the IPFT's allegation was baseless and no BJP supporter or activist attacked any IPFT worker.

"Now the law and order is under the EC. I think the state government has nothing to do with it now," he added.