Tripura: CPI(M) files police-complaint as BJP lays Ram Temple's foundation-stone
The opposition CPI(M) in Tripura has lodged a complaint against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sanatan Sena for laying the foundation stone for a Ram temple on a plot of land in a tribal area of South Tripura district. A plaque was put up by the Left party on the same spot a year ago, police said Sunday. Here's more.
No one arrested in connection with the incident: Police
Confirming the receipt of the complaint, South Tripura Superintendent of Police (SP) Jal Singh Meena said the case was being investigated, adding that no one was arrested in connection with the incident. CPI(M) South Tripura district committee secretary Tapas Datta said the plaque was put up in 2017, when the party was in power in the state, in the memory of Mohini Tripura.
Mohini Tripura tried to stop jhum cultivation in 1967
Mohini Tripura tried to stop jhum cultivation on forest land and was martyred in the 1967 movement against the then Congress government. Jhum cultivation, which is slash and burn agriculture, is the process of growing crops by first clearing the land of trees and vegetation and then burning them. Such type of shift farming is one of the reasons for deforestation.
Change-of-plans: Giving land for the Ram Temple instead of plaque
Datta said the plaque was put up on a private land and was uprooted by the Sanatan Sena, a right-wing organization, and Bharatiya Janata Party activists. "This is an attempt to erase the history of Tripura's Left movement," he added. Meanwhile, the Police Superintendent said that the owner might have agreed to donate the land to the Left party but later changed his mind.
Just a political game of allegations between BJP and CPI(M)
State BJP vice-president Subal Bhowmik said Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists had forcibly occupied the land of a local person to build their memorial. "This land was grabbed by CPI(M) activists when they were in power. The owner of the land was on the dais when we laid the foundation stone for the Ram temple at Matai," he added.
