12-hour shutdown paralyses normal life in Tripura

TRIPURA - A 12-hour shutdown called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices; roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products paralysed normal life across Tripura on Tuesday.

Several parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Forward Bloc, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) imposed the strike to protest against the rise in prices of essential commodities and petroleum.

None of the offices in the state registered any attendance. Shops and markets were closed and vehicles did not ply on the roads.

Schools and colleges were closed and Tripura University cancelled the examinations scheduled today.

No untoward incident was, however, registered in any of the police stations.

The strike invited strong criticism from the Opposition.

“This strike is a protest against the price hike of essential commodities but frankly speaking strikes are of no use and they worsen the suffering of poor people,” said Sanjay Ram, a school teacher.

“There have been hundred and dozens of strike but what is the result, had it given any fruitful result then India would be in the first count of developed nations,” he added.

Train services were adversely affected as hundreds of protesters squatted on roads. Long distance trains remained stranded at several stations and bus services were also impacted.

“Today’s nation wide strike is in protest against the price hike of essential commodities including petrol product and fertilizer,” said Chanchal Mazumder, a Left Trade Union supporter.

“We also protest against the secessionist forces and demand work guarantee for all unemployed,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not a part of this shutdown. By Pinaki Das (ANI)