Nationwide strike in Tripura sees limited impact as over 300, including MLAs, arrested during protests against new labour codes and Electricity Bill. Chief Minister Manik Saha calls strike outdated; CPIM and CITU claim moral public support.
A nationwide strike called by major trade unions evoked limited response across Tripura on Thursday, with normal life largely continuing despite sporadic protests and detentions. While traffic movement on major routes appeared lighter than usual and market footfall remained below average, most shops and commercial establishments stayed open throughout the day.
The strike, backed by Left-affiliated organizations including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), was called in protest against the four new labour codes and the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill. Trade union leaders claimed the bandh received “moral support” from the public, even as visible participation appeared limited in several districts.
Rail Blockades and Arrests Across Districts
According to CITU General Secretary Sankar Prasad Datta, railway tracks were blocked at three locations—Jirania, Nalakata, and Manu—temporarily disrupting train services. Police later cleared the blockades, restoring operations after brief interruptions.
Datta stated that over 300 protestors, including sitting and former MLAs, were detained during the course of the strike. In North Tripura’s Kadamtala, 97 picketers were reportedly arrested. Among those detained was local MLA Islamuddin, who had joined rallies urging public participation. Former MLA Amitabha Datta was also taken into custody.
In Khowai district, MLA Nirmal Biswas was arrested along with 245 protestors, Datta said. In Kathalia under Sepahijala district, 45 individuals were detained during demonstrations. Police sources confirmed multiple preventive arrests to maintain public order.
Processions in support of the strike were reportedly organized at 41 locations across the state by CPIM and CITU supporters. However, the turnout varied significantly from area to area.
Mixed Impact on Transport and Markets
Trade union leaders claimed that between 70 to 80 percent of small public transport vehicles and nearly 90 percent of larger buses did not operate at normal capacity due to low passenger demand. However, no major transport shutdown was officially reported.
Markets in some areas were initially closed during the morning hours, but most shops reopened later in the day. Datta alleged that shopkeepers faced pressure from ruling party supporters to resume business operations, a claim not independently verified by authorities.
Despite these claims, visual assessments in key urban areas suggested that daily activities, including banking and government offices, were largely unaffected. Educational institutions functioned normally in several districts.
Political Reactions: Government vs Opposition
Reacting sharply to the strike, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha dismissed the impact of the bandh and criticized what he described as the “politics of strike.”
“Any strike, irrespective of who calls it, ultimately harms daily wage earners and common citizens who depend on their daily income. I have not seen any significant impact of the strike. Normal life has remained unaffected,” Saha said.
He further accused the previous Left regime of industrial decline in the state, arguing that repeated shutdowns during earlier administrations led to economic setbacks.
On the other hand, senior Left leaders maintained that the strike marked a renewed wave of public resistance. Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury participated in a rally in Agartala, appealing to citizens to support the strike against the new labour codes and electricity reforms.
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CITU state president Manik Dey described the response as significant, asserting that after 2018, this was one of the rare occasions when people refrained from stepping out in symbolic solidarity.
Broader Context: Labour Codes and Electricity Bill Debate
The nationwide strike was part of a broader protest movement across multiple states against the Central government’s labour reforms, which consolidate existing labour laws into four codes aimed at simplifying compliance and improving ease of doing business. Trade unions argue that the reforms dilute worker protections, weaken collective bargaining, and favor corporate interests.
Similarly, the proposed amendments to the electricity sector have sparked controversy, with critics alleging that privatization measures could increase tariffs and reduce state control over power distribution.
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While union leaders claimed moral and symbolic support from citizens, the ground reality in Tripura suggested only a moderate disruption of normal life. With over 300 detentions, including elected representatives, the day highlighted the ongoing political friction between the ruling establishment and opposition forces over labour and economic reforms.
As debates around labour rights and electricity sector restructuring continue, the strike underscores the deep ideological divide shaping Tripura’s political landscape.
