Tripura CM warns of action after Kailashahar clash

Agartala: CM Manik Saha on Saturday warned against any attempt to disrupt peace and harmony after a violent clash allegedly involving two factions of the ruling BJP, with a few minority individuals, in Kailashahar in Unakoti district.The Hindu Jagaran Mancha, led by a group of local BJP leaders, held a demonstration demanding the arrest of the accused. The group alleged that minority miscreants attacked BJP mandal president Pritam Ghosh when he went to the northern part of the town after receiving information about religious instigation to spoil Saraswati Puja celebrations on Friday.BJP Yuba Morcha Unakoti district president Arup Dhar denied the allegation and filed a police complaint claiming that miscreants led by Ghosh and Kailashahar Municipal Council vice-chairperson Nitish De carried out an unprovoked attack at his house, assaulted his wife and mother, and vandalised his house and the BJP booth office in broad daylight.Dhar alleged the group later tried to give the incident a communal colour to cover up the attack and trigger tension in the district, particularly during Union Minister of DoNER Jyotiraditya Scindia’s visit to North Tripura to review development activities.Later in the afternoon, a group of BJP activists led by Nitish De went to Kailashahar police station alleging that miscreants, aided by influential persons, had occupied a govt quarter for over a year and were using it for illegal and anti-social activities, and demanded its immediate demolition.DGP Anurag said police have taken suo motu cognizance and that those identified will be dealt with strictly according to law. He said the clash took place between two rival groups and police are investigating the reasons behind the violence.Saha said those involved would not be spared and urged against politicising the incident, stressing that law and order is the government’s priority. "There will be no politics in such cases. Whoever is guilty will be punished," Dr. Saha said.Kailashahar MLA and Congress Legislative Party Leader Birjit Sinha called the incident a result of internal conflict within the BJP, alleging it stemmed from a clash between two BJP factions over contractor-related issues, and rejected reports describing it as a communal disturbance.