CPI-M for more security forces

Ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist has demanded additional security forces in Tripura, following Feb 26 killing of 11 people.

The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has demanded the deployment of additional security forces in Tripura, following the massacre of 11 people ahead of assembly elections.

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The outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) killed 11 people and injured eight others late on January 26 in Mandai village, 18 km east of the Tripura capital Agartala.

The dead included two women and a young girl.

A CPI-M statement here said: "With the announcement of elections, the extremist gangs have stepped up their activities targeting CPI-M workers and supporters.

"The CPI-M has approached the Election Commission requesting that adequate security forces be deployed given the special situation in the state where extremist gangs are able to operate due to the long international border (with Bangladesh).

"The massacre underlines the urgent necessity for the deployment of adequate central paramilitary forces and the army to combat armed extremists," the CPI-M said.

Elections to the 60-member Tripura legislature are scheduled for February 26.