Hooligans unleashing reign of darkness: LF warns Tripura CM

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 19, 2024

A delegation of Left parties met with Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha at his official residence on Thursday, submitting a memorandum highlighting various issues, ranging from law and order concerns to deficiencies in the distribution of relief materials to flood-affected families.The Left leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Choudhuri, Left Front Convener Narayan Kar, and members Judhistir Das, Dipak Deb, and Paresh Sarkar, urged the Chief Minister to take immediate action to address these pressing matters impacting the lives of the people.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Narayan Kar stated, "We have observed alarming developments over the past few weeks. Incidents such as atrocities against women, the lynching of innocent individuals, and increasing communal tensions between different communities—whether tribal and non-tribal or Hindu and Muslim—are on the rise. The events in Gandacherra and Kaiturabari highlight how some forces, with malevolent intentions, are attempting to disturb the peace."

He also drew attention to the plight of affected families, saying, "The families most severely impacted are not receiving the support they deserve from the administration. Their homes were looted and later set on fire, leaving them with nothing but piles of ashes. These families are in no position to return home. While we understand the government may not be able to fully compensate them, they at least deserve new homes to be built by the state. According to our information, these families are being forced to leave the relief camps, which were meant to provide temporary shelter."

The veteran Left leader further pointed out the devastating impact of recent floods on the agriculture sector, with large areas of farmland being swept away by rivers. "In some places, the river has altered its course, flooding vast tracts of inhabited land. Restoring the rural economy is now the government's greatest challenge. Croplands near riverbanks have been covered in gravel, sand, and silt deposits. If farmers cannot clear this debris, planting for the next season will be impossible. The government's offer of Rs 1,000 in aid to these farmers is woefully inadequate given their situation. Farmers involved in vegetable farming, fisheries, and other allied sectors are in similarly dire financial straits. We have called for interest-free loans for these farmers and MGNREGA work to prepare the soil for the next planting season," Kar added.

Kar also raised concerns about partiality in the distribution of relief materials. "Mandal-level leaders have taken control of selecting beneficiaries for relief, bypassing the official administrative framework. Opposition party supporters are being deliberately excluded from receiving aid, and those identified as opposition voters are being driven out of relief camps," he stated.

The Chief Minister, according to Left leaders, listened to their grievances attentively and informed them that the administration had already taken some steps in response to the situation, citing recent directives to community Puja organisers. "We told the Chief Minister that while we welcome his decisions, it is crucial that they are implemented fully and fairly," Kar concluded.