Guwahati: Tripura BJP MLA Dr Atul Debbarma who submitted his resignation from his position and declared himself an independent candidate for the forthcoming assembly election, narrowly escaped a fatal attack while walking back from the Teliamura Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in the Khowai district.
Dr. Atul Debbarma, who is an MLA from Krishnapur Assembly Constituency in Khowai district, has not received a ticket from BJP this time, and though the MLA has decided to contest independently and fielded his nomination.
The incident happened after he exited the Teliamura Sub-divisional Magistrate’s office following the conclusion of the nomination paper’s review.
“I went to the Teliamura SDM office for security at 11 AM. And when I came out of the office after two hours and took my car for my home, around 15 unidentified persons obstructed my vehicle and started vandalizing my vehicle. But however, my driver successfully escaped from the clutches of this mob. Later they started pelting stones at my vehicle”, he said.
Atul further said that he had alerted the police to set up security because he had received previous warning that he might be attacked.
“Police have also deployed security and in the presence of them this attack took place”, he said.
However, he questioned the Election Commission of India’s initiative towards “violence-free elections.”
“I have written a letter to Teliamura SDPO, Khowai District SP, and Returning Officer. I have also made a written complaint with the Observer. But still, now no such steps were taken against the attack”, said the MLA.
Debbarma, however, has a suspicion that those who believe Atul’s win has been established have perpetrated this assault against him out of fear.
“They are doing all this just to stop me from contesting in this election”, he claimed.
Regarding his resignation, he said that neither the Assembly speaker nor the BJP state president had ever spoken to him.