BJP supporters, police injured in skirmish in front of Tripura CM's residence

Agartala (Tripura) [India], Oct 15 (ANI): At least three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters and two security personnel were injured during a skirmish in Agartala today. The incident happened when BJP agitators broke police barricades and tried to enter the residence of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. They were protesting against the attack on Tripura BJP state president Biplab Deb and his vehicle last night allegedly by a group of suspected ruling CPI (M) cadres. The BJP's protest rally reached at the CM residence here at around 2 p.m that went throughout the streets of capital Agartala. Protesters said the BJP wanted to pass the message to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the Home Minister that a "rule of terror" was going on in the state under the "misrule" of the CPI (M). "Deb was attacked and people who were trying to save him were also injured. Last night, we lodged an FIR along with names of those who attacked our president with the intention of murdering him. Today, we are protesting against the attack in front of the CM's residence," said BJP leader Jahar Saha. Saha threatened that if all the accused were not arrested by midnight today, the BJP would protest throughout the state. "Today is Laxmi puja and so we did not go for much agitation, but within next few hours if all the culprits are not arrested, we would continue our agitation throughout the state, because Manik Sarkar has failed to provide safety and security to political leaders and workers. A reign of terror is going on in this state and we are protesting against that," he added. At around 11.30 p.m. last night BJP state president Deb escaped unhurt after his rented house and parked vehicle were attacked allegedly by a group of suspected ruling CPI(M) cadres. Following the attack, Deb's personal guard opened fire to disperse the attackers. Deb said that was organised attacks of by the Communists. Meanwhile, based on a complaint, the police have arrested two accused and have launched search of others. This is the second attack on the Tripura BJP president in less than a week. On October 11 last, Deb's vehicle, in which he was travelling along with his family and police escort, was allegedly attacked by a group of CIP (M) cadres led by one Santanu Bhattacharjee in the Ramnagar area of Agartala. A police complain was also lodged, but there has been no arrest. Dey informed that he has passed on the message of the attack to Union Home Minister Rajnath Sing and party president Amit Shah and which I have been tell them since I became the president now they also got the proof." (ANI)