Agartala, 22nd October 2026 : With municipal and other local body elections approaching in Tripura, the Left Front has urged the state government to take concrete steps to ensure a peaceful and fear-free electoral process, including the deployment of central paramilitary forces at every polling station.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, former minister and Left Front convenor Manik Dey said an opposition delegation had met Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha before the announcement of the election schedule to present its concerns and demands.
Dey said the delegation had emphasised the need for advance security planning so that all political parties could participate in the elections without intimidation. It called for arrangements to facilitate the unrestricted filing of nomination papers, unhindered campaigning and safe voting.
The Left Front also urged the administration to strengthen security in vulnerable areas at least seven days before polling. According to Dey, early deployment and regular patrolling would allow authorities to identify sensitive locations and prevent potential disturbances.
He said the Chief Minister had heard the delegation’s concerns and responded positively. Saha had reportedly indicated that the proposal for central forces would be taken up with the appropriate authorities. However, the government has not yet announced a final decision on the demand.
Referring to previous elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and village committees, Dey said the presence of central forces had helped maintain order in most polling areas. He argued that similar arrangements could help ensure the safety of polling agents, candidates and voters during the forthcoming civic elections.
The delegation also raised concerns over the effect of national highway construction and expansion on local markets. Ranirbazar and other commercial areas were among the places mentioned as potentially vulnerable to disruption.
Dey said the government should examine alternative routes, including bypasses around market centres, wherever technically feasible. Such measures, he argued, would help preserve livelihoods and commercial activity while allowing infrastructure development to continue.
According to Dey, the Chief Minister assured the delegation that the highway-related concerns would be discussed with the relevant departments and authorities in New Delhi.
The Left Front is now awaiting concrete action on its proposals concerning electoral security and the protection of markets affected by highway projects.
