The indefinite bus strike called by the West Tripura Bus and Jeep Drivers’ Association, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), has been withdrawn following the intervention of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.
The strike was announced in protest against an incident that took place at the Nagerjala transport hub of Agartala on Wednesday, where the secretary of the West Tripura unit of the BMS-affiliated All Tripura Auto-rickshaw Mazdoor Sangh was allegedly assaulted.
According to the association, acting on the Chief Minister’s initiative, BJP Bardowali Mandal president Shyamal Kumar De held discussions with representatives of the organization. During the meeting, he assured them that a fair investigation and due judicial process regarding the incident would be carried out by June 6.
In view of the assurance, the organization decided to withdraw its proposed strike programme and continue normal bus operations. The decision has brought relief to thousands of commuters, averting major disruption to public transportation services across West Tripura.
It may be recalled here that tension prevailed at the Nagerjala bus stand area in Agartala on Wednesday after an alleged assault on Liton Kar, secretary of the West Tripura unit of the BMS-affiliated All Tripura Auto-rickshaw Mazdoor Sangh.
According to local residents and transport workers, disagreements had been brewing within the transport workers’ community for several days. A section of workers alleged that Kar and some of his associates were involved in extortion and other anti-social activities under the banner of the organization. The situation reportedly intensified after an elderly worker was allegedly pushed during an altercation on Tuesday.
On Wednesday morning, tensions escalated when the gate of the Nagerjala auto-rickshaw stand was allegedly kept closed, disrupting normal vehicular movement and causing inconvenience to commuters. A heated confrontation followed, during which agitated workers allegedly attacked Kar, triggering chaos and panic in the area.
Kar, however, strongly denied all allegations against him. He claimed that he was assaulted without provocation and alleged that the attack was orchestrated by Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) councillor Abhijit Mallick along with activists of the BJP Yuva Morcha.
The incident created panic among passengers and local residents, prompting police personnel to rush to the spot. Security forces brought the situation under control and shifted the injured BMS leader to a hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) strongly condemned the assault and demanded the immediate arrest of AMC councillor Abhijit Mallick and others allegedly involved in the incident.
A delegation of BMS leaders submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police (SP), West Tripura district, seeking a thorough investigation and strict legal action against those responsible.
The organization alleged that Mallick and his associates were the masterminds behind the attack and urged the police administration to take prompt measures to ensure justice and prevent further unrest.
Police have initiated an inquiry into the incident. Various quarters have also called for a fair and impartial investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the clash and verify the allegations made by both sides.