Tripura Chief Minister Reveals Conspiracy Behind Violent Clashes During Statewide Bandh

The violence broke out when supporters of a bandh reportedly clashed with local merchants in the area.

Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura, has indicated that the violent confrontations in Shantirbazar, Dhalai district on Thursday evening were the result of a broader conspiracy. His comments suggest that the unrest may have external influences and could be connected to political strains within the governing coalition.

Following a visit to injured government officials and a trader receiving medical care at Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital on Friday, Saha denounced the attacks that occurred during the 24-hour statewide bandh. The protest was organized by the Tiprasa Civil Society, an organization affiliated with the Tipra Motha party, which is a partner of the BJP.

Saha emphasized that those seeking to destabilize the state and pressure the administration through violence would face severe consequences.

"This is unmistakably part of a conspiracy. I have detailed everything in my social media statement. The government will not tolerate such behavior, and law enforcement has been directed to take firm action against those responsible," he stated.

The Chief Minister's comments emerge amid increasing tension between the BJP and Tipra Motha.

In his social media post, Saha strongly condemned the "violent attack by Tipra Motha supporters" on Block Development Officer Abhijit Majumder, engineer Animesh Saha, and several Shantirbazar residents. He described such incidents as "unacceptable" and instructed the administration to take "swift and strict action" against the perpetrators.

When questioned if the bandh-related violence was part of pressure tactics employed by the alliance partner, the Chief Minister responded, "That pressure will diminish in due course of time."

When further asked whether internal divisions within the BJP also contributed to the situation, Saha did not explicitly deny this suggestion, merely stating that "conspiracy covers everything." His remark was broadly interpreted as an implicit acknowledgment of power struggles within the party.

The violence erupted when bandh supporters allegedly confronted local shopkeepers, assaulting them and on-duty officials with rods and sticks, while also looting valuable items.

Several police and administrative officials, along with local trader Subrata Paul, suffered injuries in the incident.

Rajib Bhattacharjee, Tripura BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP, also characterized the incident as a "planned conspiracy to disturb the law and order situation and defame Tripura".