Widespread protests and road blockades erupted across Tripura today as residents expressed their outrage over the continued power outages following Cyclone Remal. The cyclone, which struck two days ago, left the state in darkness, with many government, private, and financial institutions still without electricity.
Despite the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) claiming to be prepared for the cyclone, and assurances from Minister Ratan Lal Nath at a press conference the day after the cyclone hit, the power supply had not been restored after 48 hours. The lack of electricity has not only disrupted daily life but also caused a severe drinking water crisis
The cyclone’s aftermath exposed significant gaps in the state’s disaster management, with citizens accusing the authorities of incompetence and inefficient management. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had forecasted Cyclone Remal and its potential devastation, yet the lack of effective response post-cyclone aggravated the situation, leading to public outrage
In Agartala, the District and Sessions Judge Court lawyers, along with staff from various departments, staged a road blockade at Fire Brigade Chowmuhani, protesting the three-day power outage that disrupted their office work. Tripura Bar Association President Mrinal Kanti Biswas highlighted that the blockade was a result of inaction from the power department despite multiple appeals. The issue was eventually resolved in the afternoon following the intervention of Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath
The protest saw participation from members of the Law Clerk Association of Tripura, bank employees, and postal service staff, all united in their demand for a prompt resolution to the power crisis. Biswas and Association Secretary Koushik Indu extended their gratitude to the Law Minister for his effective intervention.
