BY TC News Desk
Agartala: July 01. The CPIM today has demanded a judicial investigation, led by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court, into the tragic incident of the Ulta Ratha Yatra in Kumarghat.
Speaking at a press conference, former Chief Minister and Politburo member, Manik Sarkar said, “What we have seen during our visit to Kumarghat is that the Rath of ISKCON was set up on the chassis of a large vehicle and it has a steering too. Police said that on the first day of the Rath Yatra, the height was different which increased Ulta Ratha Yatra. When we asked him for permission the police personnel informed that they had given permission for the route and loudspeaker but during the Ulta Ratha Yatra, they took the wrong route and the police prevented them but the organizers didn’t bother” said Sarkar.
He further claimed that the TSECL officials have said that the chariot came in connection with 33KV electric wire which was much higher than the chariot.
“The TSECL officials have also told the same thing that they all of a sudden changed the route and for this, the flag on the top of the chariot which was made of steel iron get in touch with the wire. We have also visited PWD and the officials also said that nobody came to them for any kind of permission”, claimed Sarkar.
“After returning to Agartala, we held a meeting to discuss the issues and decided to demand that the government initiate a judicial inquiry into the incident, to be conducted by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court. We also called for strict action to be taken against those found guilty. Additionally, we are demanding government job for the next kin of the deceased and that the government should take full responsibility for the children who have lost their parents. Furthermore, we urge the government to provide financial assistance to the injured persons until they have fully recovered,” stated Sarkar.
