SC asks MHA to deploy additional security forces to ensure fair civic body elections in Tripura

New Delhi,25/11:The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide two additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces to ensure free and fair civic polls in Tripura.

The apex court also asked the Centre and the Tripura government to ensure necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of ballots and counting of votes.

Amid accusations of political violence, civic polls to Tripura’s 14 municipalities began on Thursday. TMC officials on Thursday claimed that a party worker was beaten up in ward number 5 in Agartala, the state capital. However, the police could not confirm any untoward incidents.

CPI(M) state secretary Jiten Chaudhary also alleged that the ruling party was indulging in voter intimidation in south Tripura district and obstructing party workers from functioning freely. However, the ruling BJP denied these allegations and its spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya on Thursday said “Utsaber mejaj e vote hocche (Vote has begun on a celebratory spirit).”