INDIA allies CPIM, Congress hold protests in Agartala to demand jobs, safety of women

The weeklong agitation has been called to demand pro-people steps, including provision of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Tripura Urban Employment Programme, clearing pending wages of the workers among others.

“There is no existence of the state government in Tripura. Footsteps of famine are being heard in the rural and hill areas. There is no job in the villages for the past six months but the government is silent. The fuel crisis in the state surpassed the previous records. Protesting against all these issues, we have started an agitation from Monday (May 13) which will continue till May 18,” said Chaudhury.

He further added that like petrol pumps, long queues of vehicles are also seen near the CNG stations and raised doubt on the situation as CNG comes from Tripura and not from any other state.

Chaudhury also said the recent storms have uprooted several electricity poles but the restoration works have not been undertaken even after a week.

Chaudhury visited Longtraivalley, Chhamanu in Dhalai district on Monday and interacted with the people and later highlighted the “pitiable conditions of the roads and power supply” in these areas.

Meanwhile, Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress, a frontal wing of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee, protested in front of the West Agartala Women Police Station demanding police to take immediate action against the culprits involved in two separate crimes against women.

Speaking to the reporters about these cases, the party said that a minor girl was abducted and allegedly molested and a housewife was gangraped after being abducted at two separate places in Agartala. The party claimed the police have taken no action.

“Crimes against women are increasing under the BJP-led state government. We came to the police station to know what steps they have taken so far. We found out that though cases have been filed, no action has been taken as yet. We demand police to take strict action against those having involvement in these incidents and ensure reduction of crimes against women in future,” said Shreyasi Laskar, leader of Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress.