Ruling Party Allies Fight Over MGNREGA Work, Reporter Bleeds in Tripura

Agartala: Two ruling party allies that govern Tripura together engaged in violent street fighting on this Friday evening at the Gonda Twisa (formerly known as Gonda Twisa) Sub-division in Dhalai district of Tripura, with workers and supporters from Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) and TIPRA Motha clashing over something as basic as rural employment work and leaving a reporter hospitalized after he was attacked while covering the incident.

It is learned that the confrontation between IPFT and TIPRA Motha workers and supporters began around evening in the Pakhi Para area under Pancharatan ADC Village. The dispute centered on the allocation of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

According to eyewitnesses the violence began with arguments over MGNREGA work related discussions. Workers from both parties had been feuding for days over who would control the lucrative work allocation process. But when evening fell on Friday, the verbal sparring escalated into something far more dangerous. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as political workers wielded makeshift weapons, turning the quiet residential area into a battlefield.

Also read | Tripura Records More Deaths Than Births, Study Reveals

The destruction was extensive and indiscriminate. Shops were vandalized, motorcycles overturned, cars damaged, and homes vandalized. Several workers from both sides ended up in the hospital with serious injuries, victims of their own political theater gone wrong. The Sub-division that these parties claim to serve became the casualty of their power struggle.

The situation took an even more troubling turn when a local journalist named Subrata Das arrived to document the incident. In a disturbing display of mob mentality, the agitated crowd turned on the reporter, attacking him brutally while he attempted to photograph the violence. Das was eventually rescued by police and rushed to the Sub-divisional Hospital, where he remains under treatment for both physical injuries and psychological trauma from the assault.

As soon as the security forces learned about the incident the response was massive and telling. Police forces, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawans flooded the area.

While speaking to Ukhrul Times, Gonda Twisa Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sougat Chakma confirmed the obvious about the clash, stating that it occurred over MGNREGA work. “Everything is under control now, and we have deployed TSR and police officials to look after the area to prevent any further escalation,” Chakma said.

Also read | OIL India Limited Drills Tripura’s First Hydrocarbon Well Under HELP Regime

According to local sources, when TIPRA Motha supporters attempted to march toward Gandacherra market, police had to establish barricades near Narayanpur Bridge to prevent further confrontation. The image of security forces physically separating coalition partners must have been surreal for residents who had voted for political stability.

However, the journalist attack has outraged media organizations across the state. A delegation from the Journalist Association of Tripura, including President Bikram Karmakar, General Secretary Mithun Acharjee, and Assistant Secretary Satyajoy Majumder, visited the injured reporter before demanding action from SDPO Chakma.

Chakma assured the journalist delegation that he would investigate the matter and pursue legal action against those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, Sub-divisional Magistrate Chandra Joy Reang attempted damage control by organizing a peace meeting at the Revenue Guest House, but the effort collapsed when TIPRA Motha leaders refused to attend.

The petulance continued on Saturday when TIPRA Motha Executive Member Rajesh Tripura and MLA Nandita Reang Debbarma visited the Police Station to issue ultimatums. They demanded immediate arrests of IPFT workers and threatened major protests if their demands weren’t met by Saturday night.

Also read | How Did A Tripura Surgeon Fix A Newborn’s Twisted Intestines?

Both parties have subsequently filed counter-complaints at Gandacherra Police Station, each blaming the other for starting the violence. This mutual finger-pointing has created an atmosphere of uncertainty throughout the Sub-division.

While expressing views local intellectuals emphasized that the fundamental absurdity of this situation cannot be overstated. IPFT and TIPRA Motha are supposed to be partners in governance, sharing responsibility for the welfare of Tripura’s tribal communities. Instead, they’re fighting over the very programs meant to help their constituents.