Agartala, February 12: The nationwide general strike called by central trade unions on Thursday to protest against the Centre’s labour and farm policies had minimal impact in Tripura’s capital, with normal life largely continuing across Agartala despite demonstrations led by the CPI(M) and other Left organisations.
During the busy office hours, vehicular movement remained smooth on most city roads, while markets, shops, government offices, banks, schools and colleges functioned as usual.
Public transport services were also largely unaffected, giving the city the appearance of a regular working day.
In support of the strike, the CPI(M) organised picketing programmes at several locations in the capital.
Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, former MLA Ratan Das and other senior Left leaders participated in the protests. Security was tightened across the city to prevent any untoward incidents.
The strike was part of a nationwide call by 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs), backed by organisations including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
Leading banking bodies such as the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) had also urged their members to join the strike.
The unions are demanding the repeal of the four new Labour Codes notified by the Centre in last November, which replace 29 existing labour laws.
According to the unions, the codes impose stringent conditions on trade union registration and weaken workers’ rights.
They have alleged that the reforms are “anti-worker” and will undermine job security and collective bargaining.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has also extended support to the bandh as part of its campaign against the proposed India–US interim trade deal, which it claims will adversely affect farmers.
Apart from the rollback of the labour codes, the protesters have raised several demands, including restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), withdrawal of policies they believe weaken civil services, restoration of the old pension scheme, and scrapping of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Although the strike was expected to disrupt services in many parts of the country, Agartala witnessed only symbolic protests, with daily life proceeding uninterrupted for most residents.
