The Congress on Sunday said its entire frontline leadership in Tripura was facing threat to life as “goonda raj” prevailed in the BJP regime and sought the imposition of President’s rule besides a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on whether he endorsed this culture of violence.

“There is no freedom, no democracy in Tripura. I don’t know whether I shall be alive or not. Seven attempts have already been made on life. All Congress leaders are under threat. We can’t hold political rallies and meetings. Our workers are attacked for participating in political protests. We celebrated 75th anniversary of India’s Independence a few days ago. I plead with the national media to highlight the reality of Tripura where freedom doesn’t exist,” said senior Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman at a media conference in Delhi.

Barman, who is an MLA, said he had written to the state police chief several times without any positive response. Ajoy Kumar, the AICC in charge of Tripura, said President’s rule was necessary because the BJP government didn’t allow political activity in the state and the Opposition leaders faced both violence by criminals and persecution by the police and agencies.

He said the Prime Minister should explain to the nation if he supported this culture of violence.Kumar added: “This is not the first time when Congress is trying to draw the attention of the government and institutions to the systematic violence against political opponents of the BJP in Tripura.

There have been numerous official letters written by senior Congress leaders to officials. But the police and the security personnel have remained silent spectators to the violent show. Regular attacks on women continue. They are subjected to physical abuse and even gang rape. Even the media is targeted; 45 journalists have been attacked.”

Barman said: “A reign of terror has been let loose. In 52 months of the BJP rule, 604 murders have been registered while many murders are portrayed as suicide. Delhi is too far away from Tripura. There is no remedy available in the state. The police give protection to criminals. If the national media highlights the reality, we shall receive some relief. We want the country to know what is happening in Tripura.”