Tripura Strike Receives Mixed Response as Trade Unions Protest Labour Codes and Electricity Bill

Agartala:Thenationwide strikecalled by trade unions drew a mixed response in Tripura on Thursday, with reduced vehicular movement reported on major routes while most shops and business establishments remained open across the state.Traffic flow was lower than usual, and markets witnessed thinner crowds. However, commercial activities largely continued. Police detained more than 300 people, including MLAs and former legislators, in connection with protests held in support of the strike.Leaders of Left-affiliated trade unions claimed the shutdown received public support as a protest against the four new labour codes and the newly introduced electricity bill.According toCentre of Indian Trade Unions(CITU) General Secretary Sankar Prasad Datta, supporters of the strike organised processions at 41 locations across the state, while picketers blocked railway tracks at three places.Datta said that police arrested 97 picketers at Kadamtala in North Tripura, where local MLA Islamuddin was among those detained while appealing to people to join the strike. Former MLA Amitabha Datta was also arrested, he said.In Khowai district, police took 245 protesters into custody, including MLA Nirmal Biswas, Datta said. He added that 45 people were arrested at Kathalia in Sepahijala district.Picketers blocked railway tracks at Jirania, Nalakata and Manu, disrupting train services initially. Police sources said train operations resumed after security personnel cleared the blockades.Datta further claimed that 70 to 80 per cent of small public transport vehicles and around 90 per cent of larger public transport vehicles did not operate normally due to low passenger turnout. He also alleged that markets in several areas initially remained closed but later reopened under pressure from the ruling BJP.CITU state president Manik Dey said this was the first time since 2018 that people largely stayed indoors to express support for the strike. He said the unions organised the strike to oppose the new electricity bill and the government’s efforts to implement the new labour codes.Chief Minister Manik Saha, however, said the strike called by Left-backed trade unions failed to evoke any response. He said the “politics of strike” had become outdated in the state and added that strikes go against the interests of daily wage earners. He also asserted that normal life remained unaffected.Saha further said several industries that once operated in Tripura had shut down during the prolonged Left rule. He maintained that he did not observe any significant impact of the strike on public life.Meanwhile, in the morning, Left Front leaders held a protest march in Agartala in the presence of formerChief Minister Manik Sarkarand Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury.Related