AGARTALA, April 5 - Sitting MP and Left Front candidate for East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency, Jitendra Chowdhury had a narrow escape when IPFT supporters tried to attack him with a log at Taidu Bazar, some 49 km from the capital town.
Side by side, four ruling BJP supporters were injured in two separate attacks, sparking panic among the people just ahead of the Parliamentary elections.
As part of the election campaign, Chowdhury was targeting IPFT general secretary and Forest Minister Mever Kumar Jamatia during a rally at Taidu Bazar, a tribal area of Gomati district on Friday.
Suddenly, around 1.20 pm, an IPFT supporter with a log tried to attack the sitting MP but the Left Front leader evaded the attack. However, a CPI(M) supporter, who was standing behind Chowdhury, suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital.
Security personnel rescued the sitting MP, according to sources. Although tension runs high after the incident, the situation is under control, said a senior police officer.
Meanwhile, two BJP supporters were injured when a clash erupted between BJP and IPFT workers at Mandwai in West Tripura district on Friday morning. Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Prohibitory order has been clamped at Mandwai area.
In another incident, two BJP workers were injured when CPI(M) supporters attacked five ruling party supporters at a place in Manpather area of South Tripura district. An FIR has been lodged but there was no report of arrest.
BJP chief spokesperson Dr Ashok Sinha condemned the violence and put the blame on the opposition CPI(M), saying they were out to create trouble before the Lok Sabha elections. �We condemn any sort of violence and have requested the State election authority to ensure peace before the elections,� he added.
