CPI(M) Holds Massive Protest Rally in Agartala Over Alleged Attack on Former CM Manik Sarkar in Bamutia
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 27, 2026
The alleged attack and obstruction of former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar at Kalibazar in Bamutia under West Tripura district on Sunday triggered strong political reactions across Tripura, with the CPI(M) organising a major protest march in Agartala later in the day.
According to CPI(M) leaders, Sarkar’s convoy was allegedly stopped at Kalibazar while he was travelling to attend a party programme in the Bamutia area. The party alleged that a group of BJP-backed miscreants obstructed the convoy, shouted slogans against the former Chief Minister and vandalised one of the escort vehicles. The convoy reportedly remained held up for around 40 minutes before the situation was brought under control.
The CPI(M) West Tripura District Committee organised the protest march in Agartala to condemn the incident. Party workers and supporters marched through the city carrying red flags and raising slogans against what they described as an attempt to intimidate an opposition leader.
CPI(M) leaders alleged that the incident was politically motivated and accused elements associated with the BJP of trying to prevent Sarkar from attending his scheduled programme.
The party claimed that the confrontation intensified after protesters carrying black flags gathered near the former Chief Minister and raised slogans against him. A local report also stated that BJP workers and supporters demonstrated with black flags at Kalibazar when Sarkar arrived for a DYFI programme.
However, the BJP Bamutia Mandal president, Shibendra Das, reportedly denied that the persons involved in the incident belonged to the BJP and sought to distance the party from the alleged attack. The CPI(M), however, has maintained its allegation that the incident was carried out by BJP-backed elements.
CPI(M) State Secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury strongly condemned the incident and questioned how such a situation could occur despite the presence of police and security personnel.
He demanded intervention by the Chief Minister and the concerned authorities, arguing that the incident raised questions about the maintenance of law and order during the election period.
Congress leaders Sudip Roy Barman and Gopal Chandra Roy also condemned the reported incident, questioning how a former Chief Minister's convoy could allegedly be stopped and an escort vehicle attacked.
They reportedly argued that political violence or attempts to obstruct political leaders could set a dangerous precedent for democratic politics. They cautioned that such incidents could eventually affect leaders of any political party.
The incident has also triggered questions over the responsibility of BJP leadership. CPI(M) leaders have pointed towards BJP's Bamutia organisational leadership, while the BJP's local Mandal president has denied that those involved were party members.
The controversy has intensified because video footage circulating in connection with the incident reportedly shows protesters raising slogans against Sarkar.
Meanwhile, No immediate public condemnation of Sunday's incident by Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma or another senior Tipra Motha leader was identified in the reports reviewed for this article.
However, Pradyot Kishore had earlier publicly stated that although he strongly opposed communist ideology, he personally respected Manik Sarkar.
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