AGARTALA, Nov 23 (TIWN): The top Court directed the Tripura police to act in an even-handed and non-partisan manner to redress the grievances of AITC that its supporters and candidates were unfairly targeted during the campaign.

Postponing elections is a matter of last and extreme recourse. It is our considerate view that, short of postponing elections, the apprehensions expressed by the petitioners can be suitably redressed by issuing suitable directions to the State of Tripura so as to ensure that the remaining phases of municipal elections take place in a safe and secure manner and the reports of law and order which have been drawn to the attention of enforcement agencies are dealt with in accordance with law", the bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Vikram Nath observed in the o

"..we are equally of the view that it is the duty of the DGP , IGP and Home Secretary to assuage any misgivings about the fairness of the law enforcement machinery in supporting the electoral process. The law enforcement agencies must discharge their duty in an even handed and nonpartisan manner to obviate the grievances that the candidates and supporter of AITC are unfairly targeted by contesting political groups", the bench stated in its order.

"Since a serious grievance has been expressed by the petitioners that despite the lodging of FIRs no action has been taken, the respondents shall submit before this court a tabulated statement of the complaints which have been lodged, FIR which have been registered, action which has been taken and arrests which have been made", the Court further directed. The Court will consider the matter next on November 25 to ascertain compliance.