ON July 16, the people of Chottakhola and its surrounding areas witnessed a unique spirit of resistance as hundreds marched carrying red flags. They also saw another authoritarian face of the BJP-led coalition government under Chief Minister Manik Saha. Local residents witnessed how the police, allegedly given a “free hand” by the chief minister, surrendered helplessly before ruling party miscreants and provided protection.

The police had granted permission for a martyrs’ memorial meeting at Chottakhola. However, while implementing the instructions of the coalition government, a police officer folded his hands before Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jitendra Chaudhury and pleaded, “Sir, please cancel today’s programme. BJP supporters have gathered ahead. If you proceed, there may be a clash.”

There were repeated obstacles — first from the ruling BJP and then from the police. Overcoming these hurdles, determined CPI(M) leaders and workers carrying red flags marched forward under the leadership of Chaudhury. As the procession reached the entrance of Chottakhola market, senior district police officers expressed their helplessness before Chaudhury. Avoiding the ruling party’s provocation and in the interest of maintaining peace, Chaudhury and other leaders accepted the police request and decided to cancel the programme. They also persuaded party workers, who remained determined to hold the meeting at Chottakhola market.

The memorial programme was organised in observance of the martyrdom day of Badal Shil, who died on July 13. With police permission, the CPI(M) had called the memorial meeting for Wednesday. The party alleged that from Tuesday onward, BJP workers visited the homes of CPI(M) leaders, workers and supporters in Chottakhola and nearby villages, threatening them with serious consequences if they attended the meeting.

According to the party, BJP deployed groups of miscreants in Chottakhola market from Wednesday morning. Motorcycle rallies were organised in the name of processions, elaborate food arrangements were made in the market, and labourers were allegedly lured with promises of work under the VB G Ram-G project to gather at the venue. Many labourers reportedly realised the intention behind the gathering and left. Despite this, the ruling party maintained an atmosphere of fear. An attempt was made to harass the wife of martyr Badal Shil while she was travelling to attend the meeting.

Police permission had been granted for the meeting from 2 pm to 4 pm. People from Bhatkhala, Paikhala, Uttar Bharat Chandra Nagar, Boropathari, Rajnagar, Srirampur, Belonia town, Kalabaria, Bharat Chandra Nagar, College Square, Sarasima, Sonaichhari, Niharnagar, Radhanagar, Matai, Rishyamukh, Naluya, Krishnanagar and several other areas of Belonia subdivision started travelling towards Chottakhola market in vehicles. Before reaching the market, two vehicles were allegedly vandalised and three party leaders and workers were injured.

After receiving the news, the mood among party workers turned into one of resistance. A united procession under the leadership of Chaudhury began moving towards Chottakhola. BJP supporters allegedly tried to block the march initially, after which the police stopped the procession, saying that a clash might occur if it moved forward. Participants crossed the police barricades and continued towards Chottakhola, only to be stopped again by police at Siddhinagar. Chaudhury, along with CPI(M) State Secretariat member Sudhan Das and South Tripura district secretary Tapas Dutta, asked the officials why people holding valid police permission were being stopped while those who had gathered without permission were not being removed. According to the party, the police officers had no answer. The sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Belonia later arrived but also failed to respond to the questions before leaving the spot. In protest against the conduct of the police, CPI(M) workers staged a sit-in on the road and raised slogans including, "The blood of Badal Shil will not go in vain," "Police, carry the BJP flag," and "Punish the killers of Badal Shil."

After some time, party workers resumed their march, crossing the police blockade and walking nearly four kilometres before reaching the entrance of Chottakhola market. BJP supporters had allegedly gathered on the opposite side. Although police had barricaded them, CPI(M) alleged that no attempt was made to disperse them. This further angered the protesters. A magistrate and later the additional superintendent of police of South Tripura faced sharp protests from CPI(M) leaders, who accused them of protecting criminals. Chaudhury asked them, "You are drawing salaries from the taxpayers’ money. Why are you acting as agents of killers?"

Police and administrative officers repeatedly appealed to CPI(M) to cancel the programme, effectively admitting their inability to control what the party described as the BJP's "rule of miscreants." Although party workers initially refused, they agreed after intervention by Chaudhury.

Addressing the gathering, Chaudhury said, "We came to hold a meeting at Chottakhola market after obtaining legal permission from the police. The police themselves prevented us from holding it. This has exposed their failure. We had anticipated such a situation. I spoke to the Director General of Police from Delhi, and he assured me that no untoward incident would be allowed. He also said he had instructed the district Superintendent of Police. Yet, from the morning itself, BJP miscreants were operating openly in the presence of the police."

The government is sheltering criminals. Goonda raj prevails in the state. There is no law and order. The police should not bow before criminals. Killers cannot be protected forever. Despite all obstacles, we have reached this point. Next year, we will hold our meeting at Chottakhola market, he added.