Motilal Karmakar, 42, collapsed after a lathi charge by security forces outside the Khowai counting centre. He was rushed to the district hospital but died en route to Agartala Government Medical College.
The clash erupted when supporters of the Tipra Motha Party, which captured 3,177 of the 4,078 village committee seats up to Monday night, clashed with police over alleged interference with the vote count. The election commission reported 4,594 seats across 587 committees, with the ruling BJP securing 668 seats.
Security officials say Karmakar fell during the baton charge and struck his head, while Tipra Motha leaders claim he was struck by a BSF baton. The police, however, maintain that his injuries resulted from a fall while escaping the charge.
Tensions flared again in Sepahijala when the Inspector General of Police, Manchak Ippar, was attacked while returning from the centre, and opposition parties accused the police of obstructing their counting agents. The incident has prompted a formal inquiry into the conduct of security forces during the Monday clash.