Tripura Bandh called by Tipra-Motha supported NGO seeking implementation of Tiprasa Accord and detection of illegal immigrants evokes partial response

Tripura Bandh called by a NGO ,Tripura Civil Society, supported by ruling alliance partner Tipra-Motha demanding implementation of the Tiprasa Accord and detection of illegal immigrants and setting up of detention camps in each district, evoked a partial response across the state on Thursday.

The Tripura government has already issued a notification for functioning of government offices and all government offices and institutions except few in Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas remain functioning and attendance of employees as normal like other working days.

The Tripura Civil Society has called for the bandh on an eight-point charter of demands, including immediate implementation of the Tiprasa accord, identifying all illegal immigrants, setting up detention camps in each district for illegal immigrants.

Earlier, the state government notification said "It has come to the government's notice that some organisations have called a statewide bandh on October 23. Keeping in mind the issue, the government offices and undertaking offices will remain open on October 23. The government workforce will work as usual."

The concerned authorities have been asked to submit information regarding attendance in government offices on October 23 to the general administration department, the release said.

Tipra Motha Party (TMP) MLA Ranjit Debbarma, who is leading the movement, said Tripura Civil Society erected barricades in 25 locations of the state in support of the bandh and so far Bandh across Tripura is total and successful.

This is not a political movement where all sections of people cutting across political colours have joined the bandh, said Debbarma.

While the bandh, which started at 6 am, evoked a mixed response in the hilly areas falling under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) with shops and offices remaining closed and vehicles off the roads, the impact was relatively less in the plains, where normal life was not much affected.

The bandh remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported till 1 PM. The bandh supporters have blocked roads at 36 locations in the state, which has impacted vehicular movement. Train services have been affected from Agartala to Dharmanagar as picketers blocked the tracks but services remained normal from Agartala to Sabroom, said state police's PRO Rajdeep Deb.

 

He said adequate security personnel have been mobilised in the sensitive areas and riot control arrangements made in some areas to thwart any untoward incident.

While opposing the bandh, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday said that development can't be stalled by observing strike in the state.

Without naming anyone, he said, although an NGO has called the bandh, people know who is behind it. Many NGOs have also opposed the strike.

The bandh call is aimed at grabbing media attention to send a message across the country that something is happening in Tripura but development can't be stalled this way, said Dr Saha on Wednesday during a political programme held at Takharjala in Sepahijala district.

CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Wednesday opposed the bandh call, saying the demands on which the strike was called were not related to the people.

The Tiprasa Accord refers to the tripartite agreement signed between the Tipra Motha Party, the Centre and the Tripura government in March last year for socio economic development of the tribals in the northeastern state.