Leaders of the Left organizations claimed that thousands of labourers in Tripura lost their jobs after the BJP came into power in 2018. The leaders also slammed the BJP-led Central and State for its ‘attempt to privatize’ the education sector.   

Alleging that the BJP government has declared war against the labourers across the country, leftists criticized the ruling BJP governments in the State and Centre for its ‘anti-labour’ and ‘anti-student’ policies.

As part of its Countrywide agitation, the activists of All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation, Tripura unit, submitted a mass deputation in support of a 12-point charter of demand to the Transport Department in Agartala today.  

Speaking about the prevailing situation and plight of labourers, Tripura CITU leader and ex-CPIM Minister Manik Dey alleged labourers are facing hardships owing to multiple anti-labour stances and policies of the ruling government. According to Dey, around 60-70 thousand labourers out of about three lakh workers of the State lost their earning opportunities during the BJP regime in Tripura.

Owners of several buses and smaller vehicles are not keen to continue running the vehicles because of increasing fuel charges and fewer passengers. He also said the many labourers, involved in transporting goods, are languishing in jail for the crime committed by some of the owners and others. In most of such cases, owners do not take responsibility and labourers are forced to bear the cost of the legal battles. 

All these factors are contributing to the mounting burden on the labourers. Despite repeated pleas to the governments, nothing concrete happened, so far. 

He urged the working class to be united and launch movements to compel the government to accept the demands ensuring the welfare of the working classes.

 In a separate programme, CPIM’s students organisations – SFI and TSU – held a demonstration in front of the Shiksha Bhawan in Agartala today. The SFI and TSU activists were alleging that the ruling government is trying to privatize the Government education facilities.