Former Tripura chief minister and CPI (M) leader Manik Sarkar Tuesday
faced resistance from a group of protesters who raised slogans like
‘Manik Sarkar Go Back’ during a tour to Ambassa in Dhalai district.
Speaking to media, Dhalai district Superintendent of
Police Sudipta Das said that a group of 40 people halted Sarkar’s
vehicle at Hadukolok Para, 90 km away from Agartala, around 12:30 PM
today.
“They chanted some slogans and obstructed his way. Police cleared the
protesters and Manik Sarkar went to Ambassa CPI (M) party office where
the protesters again raised some slogans. However, there was no tension
and police intervened in both incidents,” the official said.
Condemning the incident, Lok Sabha MP Jitendra Chaudhury said he
would raise the issue in the Lok Sabha as it is an infringement of
democratic rights of opposition parties.
“Some hooligans have halted the vehicle of Manik Sarkar while he was
travelling from Agartala to Ambassa this afternoon. They chanted slogans
and tried to mar a political rally at Ambassa where he later joined”,
Chaudhury told reporters.
A statement from CPI (M) state committee condemned the incident and
said Sarkar visited Ambassa to join a political rally and meet people
suffering from hunger at Govindabari and adjoining villages in
Longtraivalley sub-division of Dhalai district.
“Manik Sarkar’s vehicle was halted by a group of BJP
backed hooligans at Hadukolok Para. Police removed the protesters the
spot but they returned in front of Ambassa CPI (M) party office. They
raised slogans of ‘Manik Sarkar Go Back’ and tried to jeopardize a
political rally scheduled at the spot. However, the rally was held and
he joined it,” the statement issued said.
In November last year, Sarkar’s convoy was obstructed on his way back
to Agartala from a November revolution anniversary rally at Bishalgarh
in Sepahijala district. The vehicle of CPI (M) MLA Niranjan Choudhury,
who joined Sarkar in the rally, was badly damaged in an ensuing assault.
