Tripura: 19 percent polling in first three hours amid sporadic violence

Police said except for some sporadic complaints of violence in Ramnagar and Khayerpur constituencies of Agartala from opposition parties, polling has been peaceful across the state.

A CPI supporter was beaten up outside the Kalacherra polling station in Shantirbaazar constituency of South Tripura district when he was on his way to the polling station.

He has been hospitalised by the officials.

"He is unable to tell us the names of the attackers. The Officer-in-charge of Santirbazar police station is looking for the attackers based on the photographs available.

"A suo motu FIR has been lodged. We will arrest the culprits soon," said a senior police officer.

Most of the polling stations in the city saw a high turnout of voters and long queues in front of the booths.

The polling was slow initially because of the malfunctioning of EVMs and in those polling stations where the polling staff are on their maiden duty. As many as 10 polling stations in the city are being managed by all women polling officials and women security personnel.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha cast his vote at Maharani Tulsibati HS School in front of Ujjayanta Palace and claimed that not only would he coast to a big win from the Bardowali seat, but BJP will also return to power with a comfortable majority, as people have rejected the CPI-M-Congress alliance in the election.

"I appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers and cast their vote without any fear.

ECI has made elaborate security arrangements and efforts have been made to present this election as a model before the country. I am in close touch with the administration and no problem has been reported so far from anywhere," the Chief Minister said.

BJP state unit president Rajib Bhattacharjee, after casting his vote at College Tilla, told the media, "The BJP candidates will come out with flying colours and Congress-CPI-M alliance will face a humiliating defeat in the election.

"The people want development under a double-engine government. The people have seen 25 years of communist rule and five years of BJP’s government. We are confident."

In the midst of a tough battle for state power, the Abhoynagar area under the Agartala constituency sprang a pleasant surprise as both Congress and BJP workers erected their makeshift booth camp together and shared snacks with a smile.

In Agartala, heavyweight Congress leader Sudip Roybarman is contesting against BJP nominee and party’s state general secretary Papia Datta.

However, CPI-M alleged that BJP cadres have been preventing the voters from reaching polling stations in Ramnagar and Khayerpur constituencies and security forces are not adequate.

The central forces have been confined to the polling stations managing the booths while the state police and TSR personnel deployed on the road are being mute spectators.

"The BJP cadres violated prohibitory orders in force under section 144 and assembled in large numbers despite the presence of the police and prevented the voters from voting by issuing direct threats.

"Moreover, in a few booths, they have been jamming the booths with the help of BLOs. The response of election machinery is very slow," alleged CPI-M leader Ratan Das.