AGARTALA, Jan 30? Reports of sporadic clashes between political rivals are pouring in from various parts of the State as the poll fever grips the State. There were at least three fierce pitched battles between the ruling CPM cadres and Opposition cadres in West and Dhalai district. While two persons were injured one hut was also set afire by the miscreants. Police sources said, all measures are being ensured to prevent such fall-out and appeals were made to the political leaders to restrain their workers from going violent.
The District Magistrates (DMs) four districts of the State are also having meetings with representatives of all political parties to discuss the issues relating public peace. The DMs have requested the political leaders to neither deface the public properties, walls with graffiti nor erect gates on roads. The administration has also field a time period for use of mikes with prior permission from the police. The representatives of the political parties assured that their respective parties would follow the guidelines.
Poll facts: Like previous elections, this time also, the stage in Tripura is set for straight fight between the ruling Left Front and Opposition Congress-INPT alliance in almost all the 60 seats when the State goes to poll in February 26 next. Election Commission on January 11 has announced that Tripura will go to 60-member Assembly polls. Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh with his two Commissioners TS Krishnamurthy and BB Tandon also visited the State on January 16 to study of the poll in this troubled State beleaguered by insurgency and ethnic strife.
The elections in Tripura are always blood soaked experiences when the underground militants take active parts in the democratic process supporting either of the two political combinations in the rural areas. This time also it would not be any different if the present trend is of any indication. It is largely believed that while the ATTF will extend its gun support to the ruling CPM, the NLFT (Biswamohan) faction will come to put its weight behind the Congress ally, INPT.