By: News Reporter, Tripura24.in Agartala, Tripura Saturday, February 7, 2026
Agartala: The political temperature in the capital soared today as leaders and supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a defiant demonstration in front of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) headquarters. Protesting against the ongoing mega-eviction drive that has displaced hundreds of small traders, the CPIM activists engaged in a heated standoff with the police, eventually breaking through security cordons to reach the gates of the civic body.
The protest, led by former Tripura Minister Manik Dey and Sadar Subdivision Secretary Amal Chakraborty, was a direct challenge to the AMC’s recent “clean city” initiative, which the opposition terms a “war on the poor.”
Police Resistance and the March to AMC
The demonstration began as a rally from the Sadar Divisional Office, with protesters carrying red flags and raising slogans like “Rehabilitation first, eviction later.” As the procession approached the AMC office, they were met with multi-layered police barricades and a heavy deployment of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR).
Despite repeated warnings and physical resistance from the security forces, the determined protesters managed to push past the first line of defense. The scene became chaotic for nearly thirty minutes as activists and police personnel scuffled, though no major injuries were reported. The protesters eventually staged a sit-in right at the entrance of the Municipal office, bringing administrative work to a temporary standstill.
“Eviction Without Rehabilitation is a Crime”
Addressing the gathering, Manik Dey launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government and the AMC Mayor. “Urban beautification cannot happen over the dead bodies of the poor. Thousands of families who depended on roadside vending have been pushed into starvation overnight. This government has spent crores on Smart City projects but hasn’t built a single new market for these hawkers,” Dey alleged.
Amal Chakraborty added that the timing of the drive—conducted amidst high inflation and economic distress—shows the “barbaric and undemocratic” nature of the current administration. He demanded an immediate halt to the bulldozers and the implementation of a scientific survey to provide designated vending zones for the displaced traders.
The AMC Standpoint
While the protest raged outside, AMC officials maintained their stance that the eviction is necessary to clear footpaths for pedestrians and ensure smooth traffic flow, especially near Battala and IGM Hospital. Mayor Dipak Majumder has previously stated that “only those with valid licenses will be accommodated” and that the “clean Agartala” mission is non-negotiable.
The CPIM leaders eventually submitted a memorandum to the AMC authorities and warned of a much larger, state-wide agitation if a humane rehabilitation policy is not announced within the next 48 hours. The protest also served as a mobilization effort for the upcoming All India General Strike on February 12.
