Agartala, Tripura: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Tripura State Committee convened a significant press conference today to address the intensifying challenges faced by the agricultural community in the state. The event featured prominent leaders, including AIKS State Secretary Pabitra Kar and AIKS National President Dr. Ashok Dhawale, who jointly highlighted a charter of grievances and demands aimed at the state and central governments.
The conference comes at a time of heightened agrarian distress in the region, with leaders criticizing the current administration’s “anti-farmer” policies and calling for a unified movement to safeguard the livelihoods of rural workers.
Key Highlights of the Press Conference:
- Organized By: All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Tripura State Committee.
- Key Speakers: Pabitra Kar (State Secretary) and Dr. Ashok Dhawale (National President).
- Major Demands:
- Border Farming Issues: Immediate resolution for farmers whose lands fall beyond the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing, including extended gate hours and unrestricted transport of farming equipment.
- Support for Rubber Growers: Provision of subsidies, free saplings, and guaranteed procurement prices for rubber, which is a backbone of Tripura’s rural economy.
- Input Availability: Urgent supply of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and reliable irrigation facilities, particularly for the ongoing vegetable and paddy seasons.
- Welfare Schemes: Universal coverage of MGNREGA and TUEP for all distressed agricultural laborers.
- National Perspective: Dr. Ashok Dhawale emphasized that the struggle in Tripura is part of a larger national movement against corporate-driven agricultural reforms. He lauded the success of recent general strikes and called for stronger class solidarity between farmers and industrial workers.
The leaders warned that if the government fails to address the 10-point charter of demands submitted to the administration, the AIKS will launch a state-wide protest movement starting after the current assembly sessions.
