By Bureau Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | June 3, 2026
AGARTALA: High tension prevailed at Agartala’s busiest transit hub today as transport workers completely suspended all passenger services at the Nagerjala Bus and Motor Stand.
The flash strike was launched by angry drivers and helpers to protest against the alleged continuous exploitation, illegal extortion, and physical assaults orchestrated under the leadership of Ward No. 33 Municipal Councilor Abhijit Mallik.
The sudden suspension of vehicle movements has left thousands of inter-state and intra-state passengers stranded, creating absolute chaos across the capital city’s primary transport terminal. Heavy police deployment has been rushed to the spot to prevent any flare-up of violence.
“We Are Forced to Pay Illegal Tolls Daily”: Striking Workers Speak Out
The agitation began early in the day when hundreds of commercial drivers parked their vehicles and blocked the main exit paths of the terminal. Speaking in detail to media representatives at the protest site, a veteran transport worker bared the operational hardships they face daily.
”We have been forced to shut down all Nagerjala transport services today because our patience has completely run out. Drivers and poor laborers are being subjected to severe extortion, mental harassment, and sudden physical violence on a daily basis. This entire illegal syndicate is running under the direct command of Ward No. 33 Councilor Abhijit Mallik and his close associates.
Every time a vehicle enters or exits this stand, hard-earned money is forcefully taken from us under the guise of informal collections or ‘Chanda’ (donations). If any driver protests or delays the payment, they are brutally assaulted by the Councilor’s henchmen. We are out here on the roads sweating day and night to feed our families, not to fund a localized extortion racket. We will not turn on a single engine or resume any passenger service until Abhijit Mallik and his syndicate members are legally booked by the police and permanent protection is guaranteed to every driver,” an aggrieved transport worker stated to reporters at Nagerjala.
High Tension at Nagerjala; Administration Intervenes
The complete shutdown of services has severely disrupted connectivity between Agartala and the southern subdivisions of the state, including Udaipur, Belonia, and Sabroom, alongside local city routes.
Current Ground Situation:
- Stranded Passengers: Hundreds of daily commuters, including students, patients heading to medical colleges, and office goers, remain stranded with luggage inside the terminal.
- Security Mobilization: A massive contingent of Tripura Police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel has set up barricades around the terminal perimeter to maintain law and order.
- Administrative Mediation: Senior transport department officials and sub-divisional police executives have arrived at the spot, holding emergency talks with union leaders to break the deadlock and restore public transit lines.
No official statement has been released by Councilor Abhijit Mallik’s office regarding the allegations so far. Union leaders have warned that if concrete administrative action is not taken against the accused individuals by tonight, the strike will be extended across other major motor stands in the state tomorrow.
