Agartala: Dec 02: On Monday morning, 720 forest workers and their family members staged an indefinite sit-in protest at the main gate of Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, demanding permanent employment in the Forest Department. The workers locked the gate with a padlock, halting access to the sanctuary. However, no officials from the Forest Department were present to address the situation. The protest has caused inconvenience to tourists visiting the sanctuary.
The workers were initially hired under a contractual project by the Forest Department in August 2021, with a starting salary of ₹3,000. A total of 720 workers were recruited from across the state under the ‘Forest Mitra’ scheme. According to the terms of their contract, their salary was to be increased over time. As of now, their salary has risen to ₹4,820. Despite the pay increase, the workers are demanding permanent positions in the Forest Department.
However, the Forest Department had clearly stated in the original terms of the contract that the workers could not be transferred to other projects, nor could they be given permanent positions. This has led to a standoff between the protesting workers and the authorities, with the workers refusing to end their protest until their demands are met.
The protest has disrupted the usual functioning of the sanctuary, especially during the peak tourist season. With the main gate locked, visitors have been unable to access the sanctuary, creating a chaotic situation. Despite the disturbance, there has been no official response from the Forest Department. The protesters are resolute in their demand for permanent employment, which they believe is their right after years of service under the Forest Mitra scheme.
