Villagers in Tripura’s Singirbil ADC Village have shut down a sub-health centre in protest against a government relocation order, demanding access to local healthcare.
A government decision to relocate a long-standing health facility has sparked widespread anger among villagers in Tripura’s Singirbil ADC Village. In an unprecedented protest, local women—along with male residents—locked the Singirbil Sub-Health Centre three days ago and vowed to keep it shut until the decision is revoked.
Despite the ongoing protest and the closure of the health centre, authorities from the state health department have reportedly remained indifferent, further fueling tensions in the area. The situation has become increasingly volatile, with villagers determined to prevent what they see as an unfair move that threatens their access to basic healthcare.
Background of the Conflict
Singirbil ADC Village, located under Chandipur Block in Unakoti district, comprises about 450 families. For over 20 years, residents of this tribal-dominated area have depended on the Singirbil Sub-Health Centre, which operates from the same building as the local village council (ADC) office.
The protest reached a boiling point after the health department recently issued a written directive stating that the Singirbil Sub-Health Centre would be dismantled and shifted to an IPHS-standard building located in the neighbouring Phultali Gram Panchayat area. The announcement came as a shock to villagers, especially those from remote hamlets such as Dashram Para, which lies about 12 kilometers from the current health centre.
Outrage and Lockdown
On April 30 (Wednesday), villagers staged a protest outside the health centre, with women taking a lead role in voicing their concerns. They claimed that they had already locked the building two days earlier, on April 28 (Monday), as a symbolic act of defiance. Despite this, no action or response has come from the health department as of yet.
Speaking to local media, several women protesters said the relocation would make healthcare access much harder for them. The proposed new site in Phultali is approximately five kilometers from the main Singirbil village, but for residents of Dashram Para, the distance would stretch to a daunting 17 kilometers.
“We have been getting medical services here for two decades. Why should we now travel 17 kilometers to get basic healthcare? This is unjust,” said one protester. The women also questioned why the department couldn’t instead consider relocating the facility to Dashram Para if space is a concern in the current ADC building.
Demands and Warnings
The villagers have submitted a written objection to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Unakoti district, urging the administration to cancel the transfer. They have also appealed directly to the state Health Minister and Chief Minister, demanding an immediate reversal of the decision.
Until they receive a positive response, the hessalth centre will remain locked, the protesters said. “We won’t allow them to remove our health centre. If needed, we are ready to intensify our movement,” declared one woman during the protest.
They warned that unless the health department reconsiders its decision, a larger, state-wide agitation could be launched in the coming days.
Larger Implications
The situation highlights a growing tension between rural communities and state authorities over decisions that are perceived to be made without adequate public consultation. Healthcare access in remote tribal regions remains a sensitive issue, and disruptions—even administrative—can spark unrest, as seen in Singirbil.
As the standoff continues into its fourth day, pressure is mounting on the Tripura government to resolve the crisis before it escalates further.
