Factional feud in Tripura CPI-M widen division in the party

Agartala, Oct 23: Factional feud in Tripura CPI-M surfaced over role of police in maintaining law and order situation of the state when party state secretary Bijan Dhar made a critical comment against the statement of party’s tribal wing Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) president and MP Jitendra Choudhury. A week ago, GMP delegation led by Choudhury met Director General of Police (DGP) seeking action against a section of police personnel who were inactive during series of violence between GMP and opposition tribal party IPFT supporters on Sept 19 and 20 last in different parts of the state and not taking action against the perpetrators subsequently. Later, talking to press Choudhury accused police of shielding the criminals who attacked their cadres, ransacked the party offices and created terror in hilly areas of Tripura. He also raised serious allegation against a section of police personnel including the officer to the level of Superintendent of Police (SP) for supporting the goons in creating trouble. Choudhury said that the number of security personnel under the command of state police was larger than the IPFT supporters at several places in Jirania, Mohanpur, Jampuijala sub-divisions under West Tripura and Khowai districts. However, a section of police personnel and jawans had supported the goons to attack GMP supporters on their way to Agartala for attending the rally from which the political clashes and communal tension flared up. More than 60 vehicles were damaged, a large number of CPI-M party offices were ransacked, more than 100 CPI-M supporters were assaulted and young TV journalist Shantanu Bhowmik was killed brutally in the violence but no visible action was taken even after a month of the incidents. However, while addressing the media here last night CPI-M state secretary Bijan Dhar appreciated the role of police and denied the allegations of his party MP Choudhury. “Party doesn’t endorse such allegations against police and whatever Jitendra Choudhury said regarding police was his personal view. We don’t approve the statement though he is heading the GMP,” he said. “IPFT aided by BJP has continuously been trying to destroy peace and tranquility of the state and triggering tension in the interior locations where administration and police are working hard to counter it,” Dhar added. The contradiction of Dhar to Choudhury exposed the longstanding differences between the Manik Sarkar lobby and Mr Choudhury. According to party insiders, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar did not like it when the tribal wings raised the demand to make tribal Chief Minister, with Jitendra Choudhury their obvious choice owing to his popularity, after 2013 Assembly election. “In several occasions Jitendra Choudhury contradicted Manik Sarkar in the cabinet and party meetings over the policy issues and strengthening Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC), devolution of fund development of tribal areas and development agenda of the left front government when he was minister for tribal welfare, rural development and forest”, said a senior CPI-M leader and former minister on the conditions of anonymity. He also stated that team Manik Sarkar influenced the CPI-M central committee to make Jitendra Choudhury as candidate in 2014 general, just to evict him from the state cabinet despite unwillingness of Choudhury and several others. Even though he was elected in Loksabha, CPI-M had to make him Chief of GMP to prevent the erosion of the party base with the growth of IPFT and BJP in the hills. UNI