Thousands of people participated in protest programmes organised across 20 locations in all eight districts of Tripura by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) and Tripura Khet Majdoor Union (TKMU), protesting against the policies and alleged failures of the state government, leaders of the organisations said on Monday.
CITU state general secretary Sankar Prasad Datta claimed that the protests witnessed participation of thousands of people who raised their voices against what he described as an “incompetent government”. He alleged that the Constitution and democracy were being undermined and that people’s lives had been adversely affected, prompting people to join the protests.
Datta said CITU state committee secretary Samar Chakraborty sustained an injury to his hand during the programme and would undergo surgery. A student who participated in the protest also reportedly fell and sustained injuries and was undergoing treatment at a hospital, he said.
“If the government does not learn from the situation, we will intensify the movement,” Datta warned.
AIKS state secretary Pabitra Kar said a large number of women participated in the protests, while farmers and cultivators also joined despite being engaged in agricultural work.
Kar alleged that the police erected barricades in front of a private nursing home and claimed that the police action was “deliberate” and reflected an improper intention.
GMP general secretary Radhacharan Debbarma said the organisations had received an “unprecedented response” to their programme after several years. He said Jhumia cultivators, daily wage workers, agricultural labourers, women, men, students, youths and farmers participated in large numbers across Agartala and different parts of the state.
He claimed that people in both ADC and non-ADC areas were deeply dissatisfied with the government and that the protests reflected growing public anger over its alleged failures.
TKMU state secretary Shyamal Dey claimed that more than 25,000 people participated in the programmes. Despite various difficulties, people joined the protests in large numbers, he said, adding that the programmes reflected the “fighting spirit of the people”. “People have shown the government the language it understands,” Dey said.
CITU state president Manik Dey said the programmes reflected widespread public anger against the government. He alleged that the rule of law had deteriorated and corruption had increased in the state.
According to Dey, the protests were conducted peacefully and reflected a “peaceful movement and mass uprising”. He warned that larger agitation programmes would be organised in the coming days.
Dey also said that a call for a change of government would be given in the future. He demanded a change in the government’s policies and approach and expressed hope that the demands concerning the state’s economic and public issues would be addressed.