Amidst escalating tension across Kadamtala area of North Tripura district after communal clashes erupted disputing subscription for Durga Puja and killing of one and injuries to 17 including 15 police personnel due to large scale of arsoning and vendalization, the opposition parties has appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.

Both opposition CPI(M) and Congress leaders on Monday had also urged the state administration to take concrete measures to control the situation as violence continued on Monday also despite the large presence of security forces.

CPI(M) through a press statement said that one person was killed and 17, including 15 cops were injured in Kadamtala, where police opened fire in the air and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob after two religious communities clashed over the collection of Durga Puja donations. Due to tension, a group of mobs from Sunday night till Monday had continued their arsoning and violence and destroyed properties including shops and houses of local people.

The CPI(M)state committee expressing their concern has expressed their sympathy to all affected families and has also expressed their shock that such kind of violence had continued despite the presence of a large number of security forces. They also appealed to all peace loving people of the state to resist any communal violence and should maintain peace and tranquility.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury talked to Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and senior police officials to inquire about the situation. Chaudhury, also the CPI (M) state secretary, requested the Chief Minister to deploy the Border Security Force and the Assam Rifles to control the situation.

Former Minister and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman strongly condemned the incident and claimed that conspiracies are going on across Tripura to destabilize peace and harmony among the state’s people with instigation of the ruling party for their political mileage.

“Ruling BJP continues it endeavour to create division among Hindus and Muslims, tribals and non-tribals for their political benefit, after Gandacherra, Ranirbazar, now Kadamtala,” said Sudip and claimed that peace loving people of the state will defeat all conspiracies and will maintain peace and harmony.

Sudip, criticizing Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha wrote on his Facebook: “The chief minister was busy inaugurating a Durga Puja pandal in Agartala city till night when one person was killed in police firing and a bloody clash between two communities at Kadamtala market.” He appealed to both communities to maintain peace, normalcy and brotherhood.

BJP Spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee said that senior police officials are camping in the trouble-torn Kadamtala and inquiring about the incident.

“Those people who are directly or indirectly involved with these violent incidents, attacks and instigation would be booked and stern legal action would be taken against them,” Bhattacharjee told the media alleging that a section of people are trying to create unrest ahead of the festive season.