1 dies after lathicharge triggers stampede outside Tripura poll counting centre

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said a person died in a stampede after security forces baton-charged a mob outside a counting centre for village committee polls in Khowai district for allegedly creating disturbances.

The incident occurred outside the counting centre in Champahower area when a large number of workers of several political parties gathered there to know the poll results and unrest ensued, prompting the security personnel to take action, a senior police officer said. 

"The entire election process for village committees has been largely peaceful, barring a few untoward incidents. One person died in front of Champahower counting centre in a stampede after security forces resorted to lathicharge to disperse unruly political parties' workers," the CM told reporters.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, Saha said the government will provide all possible help to the deceased's family.

Tipra Motha Party MLA Ranjit Debbarma, however, claimed that the deceased was an active member of the outfit and died in a "baton charge by BSF jawans".

Debbarma claimed the party worker, identified as Matilal Karmakar, was seriously injured in the baton charge in front of the counting centre at Champahower and succumbed to his injuries later.

"We will lodge an FIR after examining the CCTV footage and inputs from eyewitnesses. I appeal to the people to remain calm to ensure peace," he said. =

The Tipra Motha Party has won 1,814 of the 2,037 tribal village committee seats declared so far in Tripura, putting the BJP-led NDA constituent on course for a major victory in the polls, an official said.

The BJP has won 184 seats, while 22 independent candidates have also emerged victorious so far.

Asked about the attack on the vehicle of Inspector General Ipper Manchak at Thalibari in Sepahijala district, the chief minister said he would enquire about the incident.