Agartala, Jan. 20: The Election Commission?s decision keeping Tripura State Rifles jawans out of active poll duty has sparked a major controversy here. Nagarik Mancha (citizens? forum), a non-political body aimed at mobilising public opinion against militancy, demanded a review of the decision and reinstatement of the TSR for election-related duties.
During its daylong visit here on Thursday, the Election Commission comprising chief election commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, election commissioners T.S. Krishnamurthy and B.B. Tandon and deputy election commissioner Sayan Chatterjee announced that the TSR would be kept out of ?static poll duty?.
The state government did not react to the commission?s announcement on the ground that the TSR was basically meant for counter-insurgency operations and not needed in poll duties within or close to the polling booths. But the decision has not gone down well with the majority of tribal and non-tribal voters because of the proven efficiency of the TSR in combating militants. The discontent among the people found expression in the statement issued yesterday by Nagarik Mancha, which called for a review of the decision, terming it ?a gross insult to the heroism and sacrifice? of the TSR jawans in combating militants over the past few years.
The statement assumes significance as the forum comprises leaders and workers from such diverse political platforms as the Shiv Sena, the Congress, the CPI and the BJP.
The statement pointed out that ever since its inception, the TSR has been carrying out successful operations against banned militants ?and this is the only force of which the rebels are really scared?.
Jiten Pal, former editor of the daily Jagaran and president of the forum, condemned the role of the Opposition INPT in spreading canards against the TSR, saying ?they condemn the TSR only because the banned NLFT militants, whom they represent overground, cannot operate in TSR-dominated areas?.