Agartala: Following Tripura CPI-M MLA Bhanu Lal Saha's comments on Facebook urging people to keep sticks and iron pipes close to tackling the ruling party goons have drawn criticism from the BJP who alleged that the leader was trying to instigate unrest.
"The CPI(M) is trying to create unrest in the state by inciting people, asking them to take up arms. This is illegal, provocative and we want legal action against leaders, who make such remarks," General Secretary of the BJP Tripura unit Papia Datta said. He further attacked that the CPIM, which had used violence to rile the state for 25 years, was trying to return to power with the same tactics.
"Keep sticks, iron pipes, etc handy, irrespective of your age and gender, for resisting bricks, kicks, petrol bombs hurled by them. Gather courage to face attackers. It's not a crime to pick up things for self-defence. It's impossible to protect life and property without resistance. O youth, turn into fire. Hundreds-thousands of youths should be ready. Resist lumpens and ruling party goons with courage. Join people from the locality and take charge," Bhanu Lal Saha said.
Alleging that the opposition is attempting to derail the fight against COVID-19 in the state, Datta said, "The state government, led by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, has been doing a commendable job. It helped around seven lakh poor families by providing them ₹ 1,000 each through direct benefit transfer and ration for two months. It is also funding the education of orphans. However, the opposition CPI(M) was trying to create panic by repeatedly alleging that activists and workers of ruling BJP are attacking their cadres."