By Tripura24.in Reporter
Following the day-long Bharat Bandh, top leaders of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) addressed a press conference at the state headquarters today, terming the general strike a “historic success.” State General Secretary Sankar Prasad Datta and CITU President Manik Dey expressed their gratitude to the public for what they described as a “spontaneous and moral support” to the movement.
Impact Assessment: Transport and Banking Hit Hard
Speaking to the media, Sankar Prasad Datta provided a statistical breakdown of the strike’s impact across the state:
- Road Transport: Claiming a “tremendous response,” Datta stated that 75% to 80% of vehicles remained off the roads. He noted that even passengers stayed away from terminals, leading to a near-total halt in public transport.
- Railways: Rail blockades (Rail Roko) were successfully executed at three different locations. At the Agartala Railway Station, only about 100 passengers were seen, indicating minimal travel.
- Banking & Rural Markets: The banking sector saw significant disruption. In rural areas, Datta claimed that 99% of markets remained completely closed.
Allegations of Force and Violence
The CITU leadership leveled serious allegations against the ruling party and the administration regarding “forced normalcy.”
- Forced Openings: Datta alleged that after 11:00 AM, “anti-strike elements” used intimidation and force to open shops in areas like Melarmath and other urban centers.
- Political Violence: A grave allegation was made regarding an attack on DYFI leader Babul Debnath at his residence in Sachindra Nagar Colony, Jirania. The leadership claimed these attacks are being carried out under the direct “patronage of Ministers and MLAs.”
- Arrests: Several protesters, including sitting and former MLAs, were reportedly arrested while picketing.
“A Battle for Survival”: Manik Dey
CITU President Manik Dey asserted that the strike was not merely a political tool but a “struggle to protect the livelihoods” of the working class.
”From villages to cities, our message reached everyone. While the government threatened shopkeepers with closure if they didn’t open today, the majority of people gave their moral support to our cause,” Dey remarked.
He clarified that the Left leadership did not just sit back but hit the streets to stand with the workers. He warned that if the government does not learn from today’s “symbolic protest,” the working class is prepared for a “larger and more intense movement” in the near future.
Dignitaries Present
The press conference was also attended by senior leaders Dhanmani Sinha, Deepak Deb, and Raghunath Sarkar, who stood in solidarity with the claims of a successful shutdown.
