The Congress in Tripura demanded Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to substantiate his allegation against the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force of India.
Party leader Sudip Roy Barman said that the state chief minister who also holds the home minister's portfolio, must make clear to the people of the country about his serious allegation made against the Assam Rifles of keeping 'hand in gloves with the extremists' to help tribal political party to win election.
"The CM on 11 of April while addressing a public rally in support of the Left Front candidates in the TTAADC elections made serious and sensational allegations against the Assam Rifles that the force in the year 2000 during the ADC election helped the INPT, IPFT (both tribal political parties) supported by the extremist groups. What he state was that the Assam Rifles was hand in gloves with the extremist groups to ensure the victory of the INPT and IPFT candidates. Though Congress at that point of time fought the election separately but he also alleged that the Congress behind the scene," said Barman.
He further said that the allegations made by the chief minister against an allied paramilitary force known for its counter insurgency operations is a serious matter of concern and should be made public.
"This is a serious allegation brought out by the CM of the state. Assam Rifles is known to the people of the state and as well as people of the country for their counter terrorism activities and social activities. They are also part and parcel of the United Nation Peace Keeping Force. His (CM's) statement has not only confused the people of the state but also the rank and files of paramilitary forces also," viewed the Opposition Leader who is also senior Congress MLA.
Furthermore, he asked Sarkar to make public the documentary evidences against the paramilitary forces and substantiate the allegations made within the next 24 hours.
"We ask the Chief Minister who also holds the charge of the Home Department also to peruse before the public whatever documentary evidences or facts of things whatever is in his possession to bring it in the public to enable to understand the allegations made against the Assam Riffles be justified. We have given 24 hours to peruse these documents to the public," Barman demanded.
He assured that if the chief minister could substantiate his allegation, his party would also raise voice against the Assam Rifles.
On April 11 Chief Minister Manik Sarkar addressing Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) election campaign public rally alleged that during the year 2000 TTAADC election the then head of 21 Sector of AR Brigadier Panwar head held secret meeting with INPT, IPFT and Debabrata Koloi and underground understanding to use the AR against the Left Front.
Sarkar in his speech added that his government had then informed the matter the centre and the senior officials of AR but Panwar was successful in his conspiracy to help the INPT and IPFT with Congress and militant support to defeat the Left Front.
Sarkar accused former DIG of Assam Rifles in Tripura Brigadier B K Panwar for destabilising CPI(M) in ADC in May 2000 ADC election and added it had unleashed an unbridled reign of corruption and nepotism in ADC.
