Bharat Bandh evokes thin response in Tripura

The Bharat Bandh called by Left trade unions, workers’ federations and farmers’ organizations against the four labour codes and other policies of the Union government evoked a very thin response across Tripura on Thursday, with normal life largely unaffected, particularly in the state capital Agartala.

The major demands of the bandh included withdrawal of the four labour codes, restoration of MGNREGA, and rollback of policies perceived to weaken civil services. However, the strike had little visible impact across the state, as daily activities continued uninterrupted from the early hours of the morning.

The state government had earlier announced that all government schools, colleges, offices and courts would remain open on February 12 and function as usual. Accordingly, attendance in both government and private offices was reported to be normal, while educational institutions also recorded a high turnout of students.

In Agartala, most offices and the main commercial hubs remained open, barring a few business establishments. Commercial activities across the city proceeded without disruption, with key market areas witnessing regular customer footfall throughout the day.

Public transport services, along with private vehicles, operated smoothly in the capital, ensuring hassle-free movement for office-goers and residents. Police said traffic flow in busy areas such as Battala remained steady, while operations at the Chandrapur Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) were reported to be normal. Air services from Agartala airport and train services to other destinations also operated as scheduled.

However, movement of public transport was affected in some rural areas, particularly in Autonomous District Council (ADC) regions, due to the non-movement of long-distance commercial and goods-carrying vehicles. A few commercial establishments in these areas remained shut.

Meanwhile, a large rally in support of the bandh was held in Agartala, led by Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. Similar rallies were organised at 41 locations across the state, during which over 300 picketers were arrested by the police.

Addressing media persons during the rally, Manik Sarkar claimed that people supported the bandh to safeguard the interests of farmers and labourers. He alleged that the BJP-led Union government was pursuing anti-labour policies and accused it of undermining the farming sector through Indo-US agreements. Sarkar asserted that the strike was not the end of the movement and that larger agitations would follow.

At a press conference in Agartala, CITU leaders Manik Dey and Sankar Prasad Datta claimed that the bandh received a total response in rural areas of Tripura. They alleged that banking services, local train operations and long-distance bus services were affected. Dey further claimed that in some urban areas, traders were forced to open shops by BJP picketers.

Datta maintained that Left Front parties did not organise picketing and that people responded spontaneously against what he termed anti-people policies of the Union government.

Reacting to the bandh, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said the people of Tripura had rejected the strike call given by Left unions and that peace and normalcy prevailed across the state.

Police said no untoward incident was reported during the bandh. Additional forces were deployed at key locations such as bus stands, railway stations and markets as a precautionary measure, officials added.