BJP Factional Clash in Kailashahar Escalates, Tension Spreads Across Town, Police Fire in the Air to Restore Order

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 23, 2026

Kailashahar witnessed serious unrest on the day of Saraswati Puja as a violent clash between two rival factions of the ruling BJP gradually escalated, triggering widespread tension across several parts of the town. What initially began as an internal party conflict has, according to local residents, dangerously drifted towards attempts at giving the violence a communal colour.

The first clash reportedly broke out in the afternoon at Katal Dighirpar area of Kailashahar, following a confrontation between the group led by BJP Kailashahar Mandal President Pritam Ghosh and another faction aligned with the BJP Yuva Morcha leadership. Local sources and residents have alleged that the root of the conflict was not ideological but linked to tender and contractor-related business interests. However, they claim repeated attempts are being made to mask factional greed and internal rivalry by playing the communal card.

As the situation deteriorated after the puja hours, Kailashahar’s central areas turned tense. The clash at Katal Dighirpar soon took a violent turn, resembling a battlefield. Mandal President Pritam Ghosh was injured in the incident. At the same time, the residence of BJP Yuva Morcha district president Arup Dhar was allegedly attacked and vandalised. Shockingly, an undeclared office of the ruling party at Katal Dighirpar was set on fire in full public view, even in the presence of police personnel.

To bring the situation under control, police resorted to baton charge and fired several rounds in the air. A heavy deployment of security forces was made, including TSR and central forces. The situation was monitored by District Superintendent of Police Sudhambika R, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rahul A, Kailashahar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tapas Malakar, along with senior officials and a large police contingent. The police administration has maintained that although the area remains tense, the situation is currently under control.

However, residents of Muslim-dominated localities have expressed deep concern, alleging that certain miscreants are deliberately attempting to provoke communal unrest in the town. They warned that the direction in which the situation is moving could lead to riots if not handled firmly and impartially.

Following the afternoon violence, fresh clashes were reported in the Dak Bangla-adjacent areas of Kailashahar. During these incidents, the office of a contractors’ association was vandalised and set ablaze. Allegations have surfaced that the Yuva Morcha president and his family were attacked by supporters of the BJP Mandal President’s faction. Similar acts of vandalism and arson were reported near the old Dak Bangla area, where an office belonging to one BJP faction was damaged and torched.

Amid growing public outrage, questions are being raised over the role of the police. Local voices on social media and on the streets accused the police of acting as silent spectators while houses and offices were being set on fire. Many questioned why decisive action, such as firm baton charge at the initial stage, was not taken to prevent the violence from spreading, expressing anxiety over what lies ahead for what they described as a once-peaceful Tripura.

Meanwhile, attempts are allegedly being made to spread misinformation by portraying the attack on Mandal President Pritam Ghosh as a purely contractor-related dispute. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer has acknowledged that there was a clash between two groups of the same political party but stated that the police are yet to ascertain the exact cause behind the violence. In contrast, local residents remain firm in their claim that the entire episode is rooted in contractor business rivalry and internal power struggle within the BJP.

Residents have also strongly rejected any attempt to portray the incident as a Hindu-Muslim conflict. According to them, the violence in Kailashahar was strictly a BJP-versus-BJP clash, and efforts are now underway by vested and dishonest elements to divert the issue towards communal polarisation.

Videos circulating locally reportedly show leaders from both factions, including visuals where one group allegedly led by Mandal President Nitish is seen assaulting rivals with sticks. The police firing in the air at Katal Dighirpar stands as a stark indicator of the gravity of the situation, highlighting the intensity of clashes between two groups of the same ruling party.

As calm remains fragile, the people of Kailashahar are watching closely, hoping that law enforcement acts firmly to prevent further violence and that political rivalries do not push the town into deeper instability.

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