AGARTALA, July 18 (TIWN): Preliminary counting reports from counting halls in 16 blocks of the state that arrived till 11 PM tonight suggested that CPI (M) swept in most areas.
Out of 5 gram panchayats at Satchand block in South Tripura district, the results of which were announced in the first three rounds of counting, all went to the CPI (M) kitty.

All sixteen gram panchayats of Amarpur block, which were through counting till latest reports came in, went to CPI (M). Both panchayat samity in Amarpur block, the results of which were announced, went to the red camp.

One Zilla Parishad seat was declared in favour of CPI (M) at Kadamtala block; results of three panchayat samities under Kadamtala were announced. All declared panchayat samities went to CPI (M). Out of four gram panchayats of which counting was in progress, three seemed in favour of CPI (M). Congress held majority in the other.

Congress had a major piece of success at Gournagar block in Kailashahar where Congress outran CPI (M) with 1 gram panchayat seat at Irani, 7 gram panchayat seats at Dhuliakandi but fell short of the CPI (M) candidate by 1 gram panchayat seat at Jubarajnagar.

Results were also partially declared for Chandipur, Kumarghat, Charilam, Bishalgarh, Mohanbhog, Nalchar, Boxanagar, Kathalia, Jirania, Matabari, Dukli, Bokafa, Kakraban and few other blocks.

No major violence was reported from anywhere in the state save a minor scuffle at Charilam counting hall. Unauthorized entry of people inside the counting hall at Charilam created fuss due to shortage of space. The issue was soon sorted out and the counting process wasn’t disrupted. One person was reported to have been seriously injured in the clash.

Asked about security arrangement later this evening, State Election Commissioner Yatendra Kumar said that the counting process is being held amidst tight security with three layers of security personnel guarding the counting halls. The innermost layer is being guarded by BSF jawans while the two outer layers are guarded by armed policemen and TSR jawans. Most people are frisked and banned goods are removed from their person in the second layer itself.