Supporters of ruling BJP and Opposition CPM clashed at West Chandrapur in Tripura’s North district on Sunday afternoon, followed by arson in which 15 motorcycles and a car were set ablaze.

Dharmanagar legislator Biswabandhu Sen claimed that during campaigning for panchayat polls, BJP supporters came under attack from CPM workers.

“Supporters and workers of our party were campaigning in Dharmanagar for the panchayat polls. Suddenly some CPM supporters, led by Dulu Miah, blocked the road and attacked on our workers,” he said.

He alleged that CPM supporters torched 20 bikes and two vehicles of the BJP workers.

“They attacked our supporters with sharp weapons, sticks and someone also fired in the air. The CPM supporters torched 20 bikes and two cars. Four of our supporters were injured. Three were injured grievously and we sent them to Silchar in Assam for treatment,” Sen said.

Additional superintendent of police H. Francis Darlong said, “A clash between two political parties occurred. This afternoon, some party supporters were campaigning when some miscreants attacked them and 15 bikes and a car were also burnt. We are investigating the matter. The situation is now under control and adequate forces have been deployed at the site.”

Left Front convener Bijan Dhar said it was a baseless allegation as none of its supporters were present. “They are making false allegations. The BJP supporters and workers are terrorising CPM candidates to withdraw nomination papers for the panchayat polls. They have attacked many houses at Dharmanagar and even our party offices,” he said.

On July 3, supporters of the ruling BJP and its ally, the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), had clashed at Gandhacherra in Dhalai district, around 110km from here.

Earlier on June 26, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced panchayat elections on July 27.

State election commissioner G. Kameswara Rao told reporters here that elections would be held to 6,111 gram panchayats, 419 panchayat samitis and 116 zila parishads.

“The three-tier panchayat polls will be held on July 27 from 7am to 4pm. Altogether 12,03,070 people, including 616,893 men, 586,176 women and one third gender voter, will be eligible to exercise their franchise in 2,623 polling stations,” he said.

Nomination papers will be filed from July 1 to 8 while the last date for withdrawal of papers is July 11, Roy said.