CPI(M) stages major protest, former CM Manik Sarkar, CPI(M) State Secretary detained during ‘jail bharo’ agitation
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, August 10, 2026
The CPI(M) on Monday organised a major protest in Agartala, mobilising farmers, agricultural workers and trade union members under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, days ahead of the proposed elections to the village committees of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
The mobilisation came amid renewed political discussions over a possible electoral understanding between the ruling BJP and the Tipra Motha Party for the village committee elections. The Left party sought to use the protest to highlight what it described as growing public discontent with the State and Central governments.
The protest march began at Orient Chowmuhani and passed through Jackson Gate, Kaman Chowmuhani and Post Office Chowmuhani. Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, CPI(M) State secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, CITU State president Manik Dey, Samyukta Kisan Morcha State convenor Pabitra Kar and former Minister and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT)-linked tribal leader Pranab Debbarma were among those who led the procession.
Police stopped the march near Government Nursing Home. When protesters attempted to proceed after breaking through a barricade, the procession was stopped again near the Ayurvedic Hospital close to Paradise Chowmuhani. The leaders and protesters subsequently courted arrest as part of the ‘jail bharo’ programme.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha claimed that around 6,000 farmers and working people were arrested in Agartala. Similar civil disobedience programmes were organised at 21 other locations across Tripura, Mr. Kar said.
Addressing the gathering after the arrests, Mr. Sarkar said the turnout demonstrated the extent of public dissatisfaction with the government. He cautioned party workers and supporters against becoming complacent following the mobilisation and called for a sustained campaign to highlight what he termed the government’s failures.
Mr. Sarkar described the present government as “undemocratic, authoritarian, anti-people and isolated from the people”. He alleged that the administration was working in the interests of a section of people seeking to retain power rather than for ordinary citizens.
“There is no room for complacency after today’s success. The confidence generated by this mobilisation should be taken to the people,” he said, according to party leaders.
CITU State secretary Shankar Dutta accused the government of failing to address people’s concerns. “This government has failed completely and has to go,” he said.
Mr. Kar raised issues relating to agricultural distress and rural livelihoods. He alleged that farmers continued to face economic difficulties despite the Centre’s earlier assurances on remunerative prices for agricultural produce based on the C2+50% formula.
He also alleged that the interests of shifting cultivators and agricultural labourers had been neglected. Referring to the rising debt burden on farmers, Mr. Kar claimed that large corporate borrowers had benefited from loan write-offs while farmers continued to face financial distress.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader also criticised the Tripura government over the availability of agricultural inputs and irrigation. He alleged shortages of fertilisers, seeds and pesticides and inadequate irrigation facilities.
Mr. Kar said Monday’s agitation was a warning to the government and announced that the farmers’ organisations were preparing for larger protests.
The programme was part of a nationwide ‘jail bharo’ campaign, Mr. Kar claimed, adding that similar actions had been held at around 1,000 locations across the country with the participation of trade unions, farmers’ organisations and student and youth groups.
The protest also saw an injury to CPI(M)’s Dukli subdivision secretary Samar Chakraborty. According to party sources, he sustained a serious injury to the thumb of his right hand during a scuffle with the police and was admitted to hospital for treatment.
The protesters were subsequently released after an Additional Magistrate arrived at the spot and announced their release.
The mobilisation assumes significance in the run-up to the TTAADC village committee elections, with political parties assessing their organisational strength and possible electoral arrangements. The CPI(M), which has faced a decline in its electoral influence in Tripura in recent years, has sought to revive its mass organisations through issues concerning farmers, workers and rural communities.
more news...