Former Tripura Chief Minister and veteran CPIM leader Manik Sarkar on Thursday linked the upcoming Village Committee elections with wider concerns over democratic rights and also demanded a thorough investigation into the death of the state’s former DGP. He made the remarks while addressing a public meeting organised during the 11th state conference of the Tripura Tea Workers’ Union in Dharmanagar.
Key Takeaways
- Manik Sarkar questioned the 10-year gap in Village Committee elections and alleged that opposition candidates faced hurdles during nomination filing.
- He demanded an independent probe into the death of the former DGP and called for the involvement of a High Court judge.
- Sarkar urged tea workers, farmers, youth and other sections to unite around issues involving wages, employment, education, healthcare and democratic rights.
The public meeting followed a rally that began from the CPIM Dharmanagar subdivisional office and moved to the foot of the Netaji statue, where the participants joined the gathering.
Sarkar was the main speaker. CITU Central Committee secretary Ziaul Alam attended as the chief guest. MLA Islam Uddin and Tea Workers’ Union state secretary Paresh Paik also addressed the meeting. CITU state committee vice-president Tapan Chakraborty presided over the programme.
The speakers raised issues related to tea workers’ wages, labour rights, livelihood problems and working conditions. They also stressed the need for collective action to protect workers’ interests.
The state conference brought together 198 delegates from different subdivisions. Tea Workers’ Union state general secretary Paresh Paik presented the organisational report. Delegates later shared their views on the report.
Sarkar Questions 10-Year Gap in Village Committee Polls
Sarkar devoted a major part of his speech to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and the Village Committee (VC) elections.
He said the creation of the autonomous district council was the outcome of a long political movement. He also highlighted the importance of Sixth Schedule protection for safeguarding the council’s autonomy.
Sarkar pointed out that Village Committee elections had not been held for about 10 years. He blamed the BJP for the delay and questioned the circumstances that had prevented the polls from being held regularly.
The next Village Committee elections are scheduled for September 28.
Sarkar alleged that opposition candidates had faced obstacles while submitting nomination papers. He claimed that political workers were stopped from entering blocks and that nomination documents were allegedly taken away in some places.
He further alleged that some candidates and their families faced threats after nomination papers were submitted. According to Sarkar, such incidents raise serious concerns about the right to contest elections and the freedom of voters to exercise their franchise.
He argued that an election cannot reflect genuine democracy if candidates face pressure or voters are prevented from making an independent choice.
Questions Raised Over Former DGP’s Death
Sarkar also raised questions about the death of Tripura’s former Director General of Police.
He referred to the officer’s death by hanging and said the circumstances required a detailed investigation. Sarkar called for a probe involving a High Court judge to establish the facts independently.
He claimed that a purported note written by the former DGP had subsequently come to light and that the officer’s wife had handed it over to the police. Sarkar questioned why the state government had not clearly addressed the reported existence of the note.
He said the former police chief had served for a considerable period during the Left Front government and described him as an honest, courageous and dedicated officer.
Sarkar said the circumstances surrounding the death should be examined carefully. He argued that an independent investigation was necessary to determine why the officer took the extreme step.
He also referred to a delegation that had approached the Governor over the matter. Sarkar claimed that the Governor had assured the delegation that its concerns would be conveyed to the state government.
However, he questioned the absence of a High Court judge from the committee formed to look into the matter. He said the number of members on the committee was not the key issue. According to him, judicial involvement was necessary to establish the facts.
Broader Issues Facing Workers
Sarkar linked the concerns of tea workers with wider economic and social issues in Tripura.
He said workers were facing pressure from rising prices and declining purchasing power. Sarkar called for measures to protect wages and improve the economic condition of workers.
He also referred to land and housing support for landless tea workers and urged the government to restore assistance that he said had been available under the Left Front government.
Sarkar said tea workers’ issues could not be viewed separately from employment, education, healthcare and other livelihood concerns.
Call for United Movement
Sarkar called on tea workers, farmers, agricultural labourers, unemployed youth and other sections of society to unite around common demands.
He referred to recent movements involving students, youth, workers and farmers in different parts of the country. The CPIM leader said a new political atmosphere was emerging and argued that similar mobilisation could take shape in Tripura.
He urged people who had remained away from political activity to come forward. He also appealed to those already involved in public movements to strengthen their efforts.
Sarkar said sustained and united mobilisation was necessary to defend workers’ interests and democratic rights.
He concluded by thanking the participants for remaining at the meeting despite heavy rain. He called for greater unity and determination in future struggles involving tea workers and other sections of society.