Political tensions continued to simmer in Agartala on Tuesday as the BJP organised a protest meeting at Pratapgarh, following allegations of vandalism at a CPI(M) office in Vidyasagar Bazar, in Agartala.

The protest was organised by the BJP’s 13 Pratapgarh Mandal. Sadar Urban District BJP president Asim Bhattacharya, Mandal president Swapna Das and other senior leaders attended the programme, along with party workers, supporters and local residents.

Addressing the gathering, Bhattacharya rejected the allegations levelled against the BJP over Monday evening’s incident and accused CPI(M)-backed miscreants of attacking BJP workers during a party rally in the Vidyasagar Bazar area.

He said political violence, intimidation and provocative remarks should have no place in Tripura’s democratic environment. Bhattacharya further asserted that the state would not be allowed to return to the days of political violence witnessed in the past.

The BJP demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and urged the authorities to establish the facts and identify those actually responsible.

Party leaders also appealed to workers and the public to maintain peace and work collectively to preserve an atmosphere of stability and development in the state.

The protest followed allegations made by the CPI(M) on Monday evening that its party office at Vidyasagar Bazar had been attacked and vandalised. The CPI(M) claimed that a section of people accompanying a BJP rally entered the office and damaged furniture, chairs, tables and other items.

The CPI(M) subsequently demanded legal action against those involved and condemned the alleged attack.

The BJP has denied the allegations and instead levelled counter-allegations against CPI(M) supporters. With both parties trading charges, the Vidyasagar Bazar incident has triggered fresh political friction in Agartala.