Several SFI and DYFI activists were detained in Tripura after a brief city protest against alleged police high-handedness involving TET aspirants. SFI state secretary Srijan Deb criticised the action, while West Tripura SP Namit Pathak cited traffic disruption and lack of permission.
Several youth activists affiliated with Left organisations, particularly the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), were detained on Friday following a brief protest in the city over alleged police high-handedness against protesting TET aspirants.
The protest was organised to raise concerns over the treatment of the aspiring teachers during their recent agitation. A number of Left activists gathered in the city and criticised the police action against the TET aspirants, who have been demanding action on their employment-related concerns.
SFI state secretary Srijan Deb strongly criticised the detention of the activists and alleged that protesting against injustice had become increasingly difficult in Tripura since the BJP came to power in the state.
“The way the aspiring teachers had been beaten and humiliated is unacceptable,” Deb said. He maintained that the TET aspirants had gathered to demand their rights and argued that educated young people should have the right to raise their voices for employment and a dignified life.
The protest, however, led to the deployment of a large number of police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel at the spot. The Left activists were subsequently detained by the security personnel.
West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak said the gathering had not received prior permission from the authorities. According to him, the sudden assembly also affected traffic movement along the road, prompting police intervention.
“There was no prior permission for this protest and due to this sudden gathering the traffic movement in the road has been slowed down. In view of this, we have taken action,” Pathak said.
The SP was also asked about the police action taken during the TET aspirants’ protest. Responding to the question, Pathak said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the police and that certain measures were necessary depending on the circumstances.
He said police action was taken in a restrained manner and that appropriate steps were taken based on the situation.
| Also Read: TET aspirants face water cannons amid demand for 1,856 appointments |
The detention of the Left activists comes amid continuing political and public debate over the handling of protests by TET aspirants seeking resolution of their employment-related demands. The latest incident has once again brought the issue of protest rights, police intervention and maintenance of public order into focus in Tripura.
