Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has condemned the recent bandh called by the Tripura Civil Society, pointing out that it initially received indirect support from the government, though the Chief Minister later opposed it during a public office inauguration.
He also noted that the BJP has remained silent on the issue.
Speaking to reporters, Sarkar described the bandh as provocative, stating, “No political party has the right to single out a community—whether non-tribals or Bengalis—and attempt to label them as foreigners. Matters like this fall under the responsibility of the Home Ministry or the state home department, not individual political parties.”
He further commented that both the BJP and Tipra Motha are losing support among tribal and non-tribal communities. “They are trying to divert public attention, and this bandh was an attempt to create chaos. Fortunately, shops that remained open helped maintain peace. This was clearly a deliberate act,” he added.
Reflecting on past practices, Sarkar observed that the Left Front has also called for bandhs during its tenure and even now, yet many shops and vehicles continued to operate. “It is the public’s personal choice to support a bandh. The Left Front has never resorted to violence against those who don’t. Resorting to violence to enforce a bandh is unacceptable,” he said.
Sarkar urged the administration to identify those responsible and ensure strict punishment for the perpetrators.
