Agartala: Elections for the 28-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) on Sunday were largely peaceful, with 83% voter turnout till 10pm. However, sporadic incidents of violence occurred in specific constituencies within Sepahijala, Gomati and West Tripura districts.Reports of violence, including the alleged detonation of a bomb near a polling station in Sepahijala district, prompted the State Election Commission (SEC) to seek detailed reports from returning officers and observers stationed in three constituencies of the district.BJP MLA Tofazzal Hossain from Boxanagar was accused of causing panic in Sepahijala’s Dayalpara area by allegedly tossing six bombs and opening fire near a polling station. This left a Motha supporter, Abhiram Debbarma, injured.Allegations of electoral misconduct also came from BJP candidate Nirmal Debbarma at Takarjala in Sepahijala. He claimed widespread voter intimidation and malpractice. “I have to cast my vote under the CAPF security cover. Several BJP leaders and I haven’t been able to stay in our areas for the last two days because of attacks and intimidation from Motha workers,” he said.Similarly, tensions rose in Gomati district when Devid Murasingh, a Tipra Motha leader and candidate from Kathalia-Mirja, was placed under house arrest following accusations of making inflammatory statements. He allegedly targeted BJP MLA Abhishekh Debroy in a video message, claiming voter manipulation.Meanwhile, power minister Ratan Lal Nath alleged that BJP polling agents were prevented from entering multiple booths in Simna, Bodhjungnagar, and Mandai constituencies in West Tripura due to threats from Tipra Motha.Both BJP and CPM raised concerns about Tipra Motha cadres denying their polling agents access to several booths and blocking many supporters from casting their votes.BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee said there were attacks on BJP workers, candidates and polling agents in various places of Sepahijala and West Tripura districts. “Since morning there were instigations and attempts, but police managed well and polling completed much disturbance so far,” he said.Despite these issues, both BJP and Tipra Motha said polling was largely peaceful and refrained from requesting a re-poll.Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman said elections were mostly peaceful. Addressing reports of violence, Pradyot acknowledged some clashes but insisted those incidents were not linked to his party.SEC secretary Anurag Sen said despite unrest in certain areas, voting went smoothly across Khowai, Dhalai, Unakoti, North Tripura, South Tripura, and much of Gomati district.The commission, however, ordered a re-poll in a polling station of Jampuijala, following allegations of rigging.
