Tension erupts at Sabroom SDM office and Khowai over EVM submission; police resort to lathi-charge

After day long stray incidents of violence in many parts of the state during election process for 28 seats of Autonomous District Council (ADC) among rival supporters of BJP and Tipra-Motha Party (TMP), unruly supporters attack on many poll parties at RO office in Sabroom in South Tripura district on Sunday evening.

Tension gripped the area in front of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in Sabroom after alleged attempts to attack a vehicle carrying Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), prompting police to resort to a lathi-charge to control the situation.

According to reports, election officials from the Purba Mohuripur–Bhuratali and Shilachhari–Manu Bankul constituencies were on their way to the SDM office and Returning Officer (RO) office in Sabroom with EVMs when workers of the Tipra Motha tried to attack a bus and many other State Election Commission (SEC) hired vehicles, who were returning with polled EVMs at the RO office.

But, a large section of unruly Tipra-Motha in continuation of their day-long violence, attacked poll parties at the entry gate of Sabroom SDM demanding they will escort all polled EVMs.

 As the situation escalated, police intervened and used mild force to disperse the Motha supporters and restore order.

Meanwhile, a separate incident of unrest was reported at the Returning Officer’s office in Khowai over the submission of EVMs. Allegations surfaced that polling personnel were loitering instead of depositing the machines, leading to heightened tension at the site.

The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Khowai later arrived at the spot, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control after a large section of Tipra-Motha supporters started ruckus in front of strong rooms. Authorities confirmed that the situation eventually stabilized following intervention by security forces.

It may be recalled here that during the election process for 28-seats of ADC, after Sunday noon, many incidents of violence reported from different parts of the state, where Tipra-Motha supporters attacked BJP candidates, their polling agents and engaged in clashes with security forces.