Agartala: The Tripura High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure adequate police protection for Left Front candidates seeking to file their nomination papers for the upcoming urban local body elections. The court instructed the state police chief to take necessary measures to enable the affected candidates to complete the nomination process safely within the stipulated deadline.
The direction came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), which alleged that its candidates were prevented from submitting nomination papers in Mohanpur and four other subdivisions due to inadequate security arrangements.
Tripura High Court Directs DGP to Ensure Security for Candidates
Hearing Writ Petition No. 812/2024, Justice Sabyasachi Datta Purkayastha directed the DGP to make appropriate security arrangements for the affected Left Front candidates.
The court instructed the police chief to ensure that the candidates could submit their nomination papers under police protection by Friday.
It also emphasised the need to provide a secure environment so that candidates could exercise their right to participate in the electoral process and complete the nomination procedure within the prescribed timeframe.
CPI(M) Alleges Obstruction During Nomination Process
The CPI(M) approached the Tripura High Court after alleging that its candidates faced difficulties in reaching nomination centres and submitting their papers in several locations.
According to the petition, inadequate security arrangements prevented Left Front candidates from filing their nominations in Mohanpur and four other subdivisions.
The party sought the court’s intervention to ensure that its candidates could participate in the upcoming urban local body elections without facing security-related obstacles.
Senior advocate Tapas Datta Majumdar appeared on behalf of the CPI(M) during the hearing.
Court Intervention Amid Opposition’s Security Concerns
The High Court’s intervention comes amid allegations by opposition parties regarding obstruction and intimidation during the ongoing nomination process for Tripura’s urban local body elections.
By directing the DGP to provide adequate police protection, the court has emphasised the importance of ensuring a secure environment for candidates to participate in the electoral process.
The direction is aimed at facilitating the submission of nomination papers by the affected Left Front candidates within the stipulated deadline.
