Reported by Mrinal Banik
Agartala: Left parties have urged the Tripura government to deploy central paramilitary forces at every polling station during the upcoming Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and other civic body elections to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
A delegation of Left leaders met Chief Minister Manik Saha and raised a series of demands concerning electoral security and civic issues. Former minister and Left Front convener Manik Dey told reporters after the meeting that the chief minister had listened to their concerns and responded positively, assuring them that necessary steps would be considered.
Dey said the delegation had approached the chief minister before the announcement of the election schedule to give the administration sufficient time to prepare security arrangements.
The Left leaders demanded that opposition candidates be allowed to file nominations without obstruction, conduct election campaigns freely and ensure that voters could exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
According to Dey, the chief minister had not rejected the proposal to deploy central forces and acknowledged that their presence could help ensure free and fair elections. However, the final decision on sending central forces rests with the Centre, he said, adding that the chief minister had indicated that he would contact the relevant authorities and the Election Commission in this regard.
Dey said raising security concerns only after the election schedule was announced could leave the administration with insufficient time to make the necessary arrangements. The delegation, therefore, sought advance planning for the deployment of central forces at every polling station, subject to their availability.
The Left parties also demanded enhanced security in sensitive areas and regular patrolling from at least seven days before polling.
During the meeting, the delegation referred to the recent elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and village committees. Dey said polling agents had been able to remain at most polling stations and return home safely after voting. Although some isolated incidents had occurred, he claimed that the presence of central forces had helped control the situation.
The delegation argued that civic elections, being held across a comparatively smaller geographical area, could be managed through planned security arrangements to protect voters and candidates.
Apart from electoral security, the Left leaders raised concerns over the possible impact of national highway construction and expansion on markets and commercial activities in Agartala and adjoining areas.
They urged the government to explore alternative plans to prevent markets, including those in Ranirbazar, from being adversely affected by highway projects. Dey said bypass routes should be examined wherever feasible to avoid market areas.
According to him, the chief minister had said he would discuss the matter with the concerned departments and officials and contact the relevant authorities in Delhi to explore possible solutions.
No final decision on the deployment of central forces or the other demands had been announced after the meeting.
