By-polls: Clash among BJP-CPI (M) supporters in Dhanpur, ten injured

Amidst massive preparations for free, fair and peaceful by-elections in Boxanagar and Dhanpur assembly constituencies, the violence among the supporters of rival political parties, at least 10 supporters of ruling BJP and opposition CPI(M) suffered injuries and were admitted to hospitals.

Though the  by-polls in both Boxanagar and Dhanpur assembly constituencies by and large were peaceful, the supporters of BJP and CPI(M) engaged in fierce fighting in a polling station under Dhanpur seat, resulting in ten supporters of BJP and CPI(M) being hospitalized.

Among the injured persons, four BJP workers identified as Uttam Debbarma, Litan Miah, Nitai Debbarma and Ranjit Debbarma were referred to GB Hospital in critical conditions. Other injured persons were admitted to Melaghar hospital including five CPI (M) workers including Shantramani Tripura, Ashapada Debbarma , Rakesh Debbarma and Tapan Debbarma, who suffered injuries with the marbles thrown by slingshots.

Sources added that during the pitch battle among themselves started at booth number-5 of Anandapur High School of Dhanpur seat after a polling agent of CPI (M) was thrashed and forcefully taken out from the polling booth. Later, CPI (M) workers gathered at that polling booth and amidst escalating tension, both groups started attacking each other.

During the pitch battle, some outsiders with allegiance with the ruling party have also engaged in the clash, allegedly instigated by a minister. The supporters of CPI (M) and Tipra-Motha resisted them and outsiders were forced to escape from the spot.

Later, all injured persons were shifted to hospitals and large-number of security forces was deployed to defuse the tension.

Sources also said that among injured persons, the condition of BJP worker Litan Miah is stated to be very critical, who was admitted to the trauma centre of GB Hospital.