Cong blocks road to protest demolition of pol structures

The opposition Congress today blocked the main road at busy Math Chowmuhani area here to protest demolition of structures of political parties and their affiliated trade unions built illegally on government land in the past.

The Congress, however, withdrew the blockade after the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Sadar asked them in a meeting to discuss their problems tomorrow, TPCC president Birajit Sinha told reporters.

He alleged that the state government was deliberately targeting opposition party offices and the party would thwart any move to bulldoze Congress structures, even at the cost of our lives.

Fifteen offices of different political parties and affiliated trade unions have been demolished since May 7 across the state as part of a government drive to reclaim land illegally occupied by political parties.

These include eight Congress offices, six CPI-M and a union office of BMS, affiliated to RSS which is ideological fountainhead of BJP.

The BJP rode to power for the first time in Tripura in March last, putting an end to the 25-year rule of the CPI(M).

Meanwhile, CPI(M) leaders today asked under what right the District Magistrate (West Tripura) Milind Ramteke is leading demolition drive as he has already been transferred.

"He (Ramteke) was the DM of West Tripura district. He is currently under transfer. He is Additional Secretary to Chief Minister. On what right did he involve himself with the demolition process?" CPI(M) spokesperson Goutam Das asked.

Two days back, CPI(M) issued a warning to Ramteke saying "law would not spare anybody, even an officer."