Agartala: Tension prevailed in parts of Teliamura ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections after several vehicles, including that of Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, were vandalised late Sunday evening.
The incident occurred in the Manikbazar area, where unidentified persons allegedly targeted multiple vehicles amid political confrontations in the run-up to the polls.
Debbarma said he had rushed to the spot after receiving information that some BJP workers had been detained by supporters of Tipra Motha near an SPO camp in the area. He stated that his vehicle came under attack soon after his arrival and that several other vehicles were also damaged in the incident.
According to him, a number of party workers sustained injuries and were shifted to a hospital for treatment.
He described the incident as pre-planned and said his party was against violence, urging authorities to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process.
Police officials said they were investigating the matter, though no official confirmation of arrests was available at the time of filing the report.
In a separate development earlier in the day, BJP leaders alleged that supporters of Tipra Motha attempted to disrupt a joining programme organised in support of party candidate Billu Jamatia at Nomonjoy Bari.
According to BJP leaders, road blockades were put up in the area, temporarily hindering the movement of party functionaries. The situation was later brought under control following intervention by the administration.
Despite the incidents, BJP leaders claimed that a group of 63 individuals, led by Tipra Motha leader Ajit Debbarma, joined their party during the programme.
The TTAADC elections, scheduled to be held shortly, have witnessed heightened political activity across several parts of the state.