Tripura HC accepts CPI-M's plea on security for Panchayat polls, hearing set for July 18

Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 16 : The High Court of Tripura has accepted a petition filed by the principal opposition party, CPI-M, seeking proper security arrangements of the Left Party's aspiring candidates who are willing to contest the forthcoming three tier Panchayat elections, the convenor of the Left Front Tripura and former Rajya Sabha MP Narayan Kar has said.
Speaking to reporters at CPI-M Tripura state headquarters, Kar said, "The CPI-M submitted a petition in the High Court with its four-point charter of demands. The High Court has accepted the petition and it has decided that the hearing will be held on July 18 next."
A bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice SG Chattopadhyay will hear the petition.
Elaborating on the party's four key demands, Kar said, "Our first demand is to introduce online submission of nomination papers for the Panchayat elections. Secondly, there should be an additional RO in the district headquarters so that people can submit the nomination papers other than the RO office in Blocks. Besides, the time frame of nomination filing needs to be extended as a lot of time is lost. The last demand is that the approach road and block office area should be cleared so that candidates can go there and file their nomination papers without any hassle. There should be proper security arrangements for the candidates. You have seen that our Raj Nagar comrade already filed his nomination papers and after filing his papers he was attacked. People are also being compelled to withdraw nomination papers which needs to be stopped."
On the ethnic violence that erupted at Ganda Twisa formerly known as Gandacherra, the senior CPIM leader demanded a proper inquiry to find out the reason behind the escalation of tension. According to him, the Tripura government's first priority should be building confidence among local people.
"Primary relief should be provided to all the affected families irrespective of their caste. Their houses were burnt down, shops were looted. They should be compensated. Only police action is not enough to build confidence among the public. People have been living here together for many years. The administration should conduct a proper inquiry," Kar added.