By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in AGARTALA | March 11, 2026
AGARTALA: Responding to the recent nationwide surge in cooking gas prices, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) organized a high-voltage protest demonstration at Agartala’s Battala Chowmuhani today. The agitation targeted the central government’s failure to curb inflation and the “unprecedented” hike in LPG cylinder rates that came into effect earlier this week.
The protest, which began at 12:00 Noon, saw party workers and common citizens gathering in large numbers, blocking one side of the busy intersection and raising slogans against the “anti-people” economic policies of the Modi administration.
Anger Over ₹60 Hike in Domestic Gas
The primary trigger for today’s “Urgent Programme” was the ₹60 increase in the price of domestic 14.2 kg LPG cylinders, which reportedly took effect on March 7, 2026.
Key Points Raised by SUCI-C Leaders:
- Assault on Kitchen Budgets: Speakers at the rally pointed out that the price of domestic gas has crossed critical thresholds, making it nearly impossible for middle-class and BPL families to afford a refill.
- Commercial Gas Surge: The leaders also condemned the ₹115 hike in commercial gas cylinders, warning that it would lead to a “cascading effect” on the prices of food in hotels and eateries, further fueling inflation.
- Crony Capitalism: The SUCI-C state leadership alleged that the government is busy providing tax breaks to corporates while “wringing the necks” of common citizens through indirect taxes on essential fuels.
Demand for Immediate Rollback
The protesters burned an effigy symbolizing inflation and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the recent price hike.
”While international oil prices are being cited as an excuse, the reality is that the government refuses to reduce central excise duties. This hike is a direct gift from the ‘Inflation Man’ to the suffering public,” a local SUCI-C coordinator told Tripura 24.in.
Impact on Agartala Traffic
The sudden gathering at Battala, one of the city’s most vital transit points, led to significant traffic congestion for nearly an hour. Police personnel from the West Agartala Station were deployed to manage the crowd. The demonstration ended with the submission of a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister through the local administration.
Upcoming Movements
The SUCI-C announced that today’s protest is just the beginning. They have called for a “Mass Signature Campaign” across the state starting tomorrow to build a larger movement against the rising cost of living.
