Lalit Bazar in Tripura witnessed a disturbing scene on April 4, reflecting a breakdown of democracy and law and order. Initially, workers of the Tipra Motha openly threatened that a Left Front meeting would not be allowed. Soon after, miscreants associated with the Tipra Motha carried out repeated acts of vandalism at the election meeting venue. The police remained completely passive spectators. The CPI(M) Tripura State Secretariat has strongly condemned the incident.

In a statement, the party’s State Secretariat said that around 11 am, when CPI(M) State Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, along with candidates from Jirania and Pulinpur-Mandai constituencies, Radhacharan Debbarma and Surya Debbarma, arrived to attend an election campaign meeting at Lalit Bazar under Mandai Police Station in West District, a group of unruly youths backed by the Tipra Motha began creating chaos with sticks and rods. In front of the police, they raised provocative slogans and started damaging CPI(M)’s campaign materials, while the police remained completely inactive.

The attendees and CPI(M) leaders refrained from reacting to the provocation and chose to suspend the meeting and leave the venue, thereby preventing an unavoidable and unnecessary clash. The incident has sparked strong resentment among the local people. According to public opinion, such actions by the Tipra Motha stem from their political bankruptcy in the name of “Greater Tipraland” and fear of exposure of rampant corruption in the TTAADC over the past five years.

The CPI(M) Tripura State Secretariat has strongly condemned the inaction of the police administration and the undemocratic and violent activities of Tipra Motha. It has urged the State Election Commission to take necessary steps to ensure a conducive environment for election campaigning and peaceful voting across the TTAADC areas. The party also appealed to all peace-loving and democracy-loving citizens to raise their voice against such incidents.

The attack by Tipra Motha miscreants was allegedly pre-planned to disrupt the meeting. To the east of the market stands the burnt CPI(M) Lalit Bazar area office, which was set on fire by IPFT miscreants after the change of government in 2018. That night, the miscreants celebrated by cooking in the open field, causing distress among local residents. Despite claims of good governance by the coalition government, incidents of violence have not decreased but rather increased several times. The latest attack on the Left Front meeting is seen as a clear example. Police officers and TSR jawans remained silent spectators throughout.

A procession of around 30 people, including 2–3 women, marched from Lalit Bazar to the meeting venue. Miscreants raised slogans like “Bubagra Long Live.” (Bubagra in Kokborok means king i.e. Pradyot Kishor Debbarman). The miscreants became more aggressive, uprooted red flags, vandalised chairs, and brutally assaulted several people.

Later, the meeting was held at the hall of the Mandai party office with party leader Manimala Debbarma presiding. Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) candidates Radhacharan Debbarma and Surya Debbarma strongly condemned the police’s inaction during the attack. Radhacharan Debbarma stated that the Tipra Motha has lost faith in democracy. In a democratic system, all political parties have the right to hold meetings and express their views, but that right is being taken away. He questioned the claims of good governance, saying that law and order has completely collapsed. He called upon party workers to intensify campaigning in the coming days, move forward with determination, remain mentally prepared for any situation, and stay alert and vigilant on the day of voting.