“Protest by left-leaning employees against the cancellation of the mass sit-in.”

The All India State Government Employees’ Federation and the Tripura Government Employees Coordination Committee (HB Road) had announced a three-hour mass sit-in on Sunday to press for teachers’ and employees’ urgent demands. However, the police administration did not grant permission for the programme. A letter seeking permission for the event was submitted to the police administration on 1 November, but on Saturday night the police informed them that the permission had been cancelled.

On Sunday, supporters of the Tripura Government Employees Coordination Committee (HB Road) gathered in Agartala for the scheduled mass sit-in and learned about the cancellation. Naturally, the police administration’s refusal to permit the sit-in generated strong resentment among them. Earlier, on 8 July, the police had also denied permission for a rally organized by the committee.

Speaking on the matter, a female leader of the organization stated that the mass sit-in was called from 11 AM on Sunday based on the federation’s 11-point national demands and the state’s 14-point demands. Permission had initially been granted, she said, but later the police administration withdrew it citing a shortage of personnel. She strongly condemned this action.

In protest, supporters of the Tripura Government Employees Coordination Committee (HB Road), who had gathered for the mass sit-in, staged a demonstration in the capital. The protest was held at Paradise Chowmuhani. Leaders at the programme said that no matter how many obstacles come their way, they will continue their movement. If necessary, they will launch an even larger, statewide mass agitation.