Over 83 people, including 11 journalists, were injured in a lathi charge by Tripura police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) on Congress workers and supporters here on Sunday.
Police said the forces resorted to lathi charge as the Congress workers tried to stop examinees from appearing for the common entrance test (CET) of Tripura Medical College (TMC), demanding that 85 per cent seats be filled up by students qualifying in the State joint entrance examination (JEE).
Following the lathi charge, 44 people, including three journalists, were treated at Agartala government medical college here, and 39 persons were released after first aid.
Leader of the Opposition Ratan Lal Nath told reporters that the Congress workers had gone to the spot to request the examinees to stay away from the “illegal” CET which was “detrimental” to the interests of the students in the State.
The police, he claimed, resorted to lathi charge without provocation.
The State police chief had on Sunday announced that he was instructed to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.
Mr. Nath said 85 seats should be filled by students qualifying in the JEE as TMC is a government medical college and the rest could be kept reserved for the central pool. But the State government wanted to fill 55 seats from JEE and 30 by those who qualify in the CET.
Tripura Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty told reporters that TMC could conduct CET as it was a run by a society.
The Tripura Journalist Union (TJU) and all other media organisations condemned the attack on journalists, and demanded immediate suspension of four police officers, including West district superintendent Anish Prasad.
