On August 24, a rally was organised in the Jogendranagar area adjoining Agartala city by electricity consumers who have been struggling under the burden of high electricity bills. Following this rally, the BJP organised another rally, during which its supporters carried out extensive vandalism at the local CPI(M) office, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the area. Local residents strongly condemned the vandalism at the CPI(M) office. During the tenure of the BJP-led coalition government, the Jogendranagar Local Committee office has been attacked several times.

That evening, the politically isolated BJP organised a rally in Jogendranagar to congratulate the government for providing a subsidy on electricity tariffs. During the rally, BJP supporters entered the local CPI(M) office and vandalised furniture, including chairs, tables, television and CCTV cameras. Four party activists were present inside the office at the time of the attack. They somehow managed to escape from the office and save themselves. The motorcycles parked outside the office were also vandalised. The following day, BJP miscreants gathered at various places in Jogendranagar and once again attempted to create tension and provoke unrest. However, the CPI(M) did not fall into their trap or respond to their provocations.

On Tuesday morning, speaking about the attack on the CPI(M) office in Jogendranagar, Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) Tripura State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury said that the BJP had lost its political support among the people. He said that the chief minister was suffering from anxiety and uncertainty over how long the government would remain in power.

He said that the government was unable to provide answers regarding the mysterious death of a DGP, which he described as an unprecedented incident in the history of the country and the state. He also highlighted the poor condition of roads across the state, from national highways and state roads to rural roads. Despite crores of rupees being spent on the construction and repair of roads, he alleged that they deteriorated within a few days. According to him, the sole reason was corruption.

Chaudhury said that the power minister had earlier stated that there was no alternative but to increase electricity tariffs. However, when people took to the streets to protest against the tariff hike, the government, under pressure from the movement, announced a subsidy on the increased tariffs. Subsequently, during a rally organised to thank the government, ruling-party workers attacked the CPI(M) office. He said, “The BJP’s days are numbered. No one will be spared.”

On Tuesday afternoon, at the initiative of the CPI(M) West Tripura District Committee, a protest rally was organised in Agartala, followed by a demonstration outside the police headquarters. Hundreds of people participated in the protest, carrying red flags and raising slogans. CPI(M) Central Committee member Manik Dey, State Secretariat member Ratan Das, and other CPI(M) leaders were present at the demonstration.

Speaking to journalists in front of the police headquarters, Manik Dey said that the chief minister had stated that not even an inch of space would be left for the CPI(M). In response, he said, “That will be decided by the people. The people will decide how many inches of space they will give to each political party and how much space they will retain. All power rests with the people.”

He said that, as the ruling party, the BJP should politically confront its opponents. The opposition was raising various questions, but the government and the ruling party were unable to provide any answers. He said that, having no arguments to counter the opposition politically, the ruling party was resorting to attacks.

He further said, “Then they themselves go to the hospital and tell stories about being attacked. This is ridiculous. They have no respect for democracy.”

A four-member delegation from the protest submitted a memorandum to the superintendent of police of West Tripura district, demanding the arrest and punishment of those allegedly involved in the attacks.

After the delegation submitted the memorandum, Ratan Das addressed the people who had joined the protest. He said, “Today, we have shown the BJP-led coalition government a yellow card. In the days ahead, the people of the state are preparing to show them a red card.”

He said that CPI(M) leaders had repeatedly been forced to come to the police headquarters, which he described as a failure of the police. “The miscreants are not paying any heed to the police. The rule of law has been buried. This is a matter of shame for the state government. People from all sections of society must come forward to restore the rule of law in the state,” he said. Other CPI(M) leaders also addressed the gathering.

On Wednesday, Jitendra Chaudhury visited the Jogendranagar Local Committee office. He once again condemned the entire incident and demanded the arrest of the BJP goons involved.