Agartala, Tripura, August 28 (HBTV): Two factions of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura clashed over the appointment of a village chief in the Boxanagar area of Tripura's Sepahijala district and left two women’s leaders injured. The incident occurred after a disagreement over the selection of the Gram Panchayat Pradhan (village chief) in Veluarchar Panchayat. 

Supporters of the injured women later blockaded the main road leading to Boxanagar, demanding justice. Both women were taken to Tripura Medical College in Agartala for treatment after initially being admitted to Bishalgarh Hospital. 

The clash erupted after the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected Panchayat members, a process that follows the conclusion of three-tier Panchayat elections in the state. During this ceremony, the elected members voted to select the Panchayat chiefs and deputy chiefs, known as Pradhan and Upa-Pradhan, respectively. 

In the Veluarchar Panchayat, it was expected that Minati Sarkar Deb would assume the role of Pradhan, based on promises allegedly made by local MLA Tofajjal Hossain before the election. However, after the ceremony, the name of Mani Barman was proposed and subsequently approved by the MLA.   

This decision sparked protests from supporters of Minati Sarkar Deb, who accused the MLA of going back on his word. The situation escalated into a physical confrontation between the two factions, resulting in injuries to Minati Sarkar Deb and another female leader. 

Following the clash, BJP supporters blocked the main road in Boxanagar, demanding the resignation of the local MLA. Police and administrative officials were dispatched to the scene to restore order and engage with the protesters.