Government employees of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Office in Kailashahar under the Unakoti District of Tripura staged a pen-down strike on Friday demanding assurances of safety in their workplace following an intrusion of armed miscreantsin the office on Thursday.
Notably, in a shocking incident, miscreants armed with sharp machetes stormed the Kailashahar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office during working hours on Thursday, threatening government employees and disrupting ongoing demolition work.
The Incident
The incident occurred around noon on Thursday at the SDM office in Kailashahar. While employees, including Rikxaniyana Darlong, were supervising the demolition of an aging office building, a group of young men entered the premises, demanding to know under whose authority the demolition was taking place. They argued that they should have been tasked with the work and became increasingly hostile when directed to seek clarification from SDM Pradip Sarkar, who was on leave that day.
According to eyewitnesses, the youths brandished machetes, issued threats of dire consequences, and physically pushed several employees, including Darlong. The incident left the staff feeling vulnerable and fearful for their safety.
The pen-down protest
The pen-down protestOn Friday morning, the shaken employees collectively decided to halt work and initiate a pen-down strike. Every section of the SDM office remained closed as employees voiced their concerns.
Speaking to reporters during the strike, Diyem Chakma from the Revenue Section expressed the staff’s sense of insecurity and reiterated their demand for a resolution. “We cannot work in an environment where our lives are at risk. Until proper security measures are implemented, we cannot resume work,” Chakma stated.
Resolution of the Crisis
As the strike continued, the youths involved in the incident visited the office and issued an apology to both the employees and SDM Pradip Sarkar. Following this gesture, a resolution meeting was held in the SDM’s chamber. By 11:30 am, the employees called off the strike and resumed work.
Government employee Rikxaniyana Darlong confirmed the sequence of events and stated that the youths’ apology helped ease tensions, allowing the office to return to normal operations.
Government employees are now urging the administration to ensure the safety and sanctity of their workplace as they prepare for the transition to a new office building.
(Tripura, Northeast)
