Farmers, jhum cultivators, and agricultural labourers have warned the authoritarian BJP-led alliance government in Tripura of a bigger struggle ahead, declaring that they will not retreat from the streets. On March 18, they demonstrated a determined and intense resistance against what they described as a fascist BJP government. Despite deploying the police, the government failed to stop the united surge of poor and working people. Anger erupted among protesters over the aggressive role of the police during the Assembly march called by the All India Kisan Sabha, Tripura Rajya Upajati Ganamukti Parishad, and Tripura Khet Mazdoor Union over a 12-point charter of demands. Overcoming repeated obstacles, the protesters displayed resilience and fighting spirit. Leaders strongly condemned the conduct of the police.

Leaders saluted the people who joined the Assembly march defying police resistance. Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury said the “triple-engine government” lacks the courage to face the people. He called for intensifying struggles across the state under the red flag, stating that the sharper and stronger the movement becomes, the closer the fall of the authoritarian government will be. Vijoo Krishnan, All India General Secretary of the Kisan Sabha, said the BJP government is trying to crush democratic and peaceful protests because it fears the people. Other speakers included state leaders like Aghore Debbarma, Pabitra Kar, Shyamal De, and Pranab Debbarma.

The Assembly march had been announced over a month ago. The plan was to proceed from Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan through several important junctions towards the Assembly. However, the government deployed police to forcibly prevent the march.

From morning, protesters were barricaded near Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, which only strengthened their resolve. Determined to proceed, they attempted to move via an alternative route, but police blocked them again, leading to scuffles. A video showing a police officer pulling Pabitra Kar’s shirt went viral on social media, as did an alleged instruction by a senior police officer shouting “hit them,” though no lathi-charge was carried out.

As the march progressed through various roads of the city, a massive police force blocked the northern gate of the Assembly using vehicles and iron barricades. Scuffles broke out between police forces and the leadership, heightening tension. However, leaders restrained protesters from reacting to provocation. So intense was the government’s fear that no one was allowed to cross the barricade even during the protest meeting. Several leaders, including Vijoo Krishnan, Pabitra Kar, and Aghore Debbarma, were injured in clashes. A condemnation resolution against police action was adopted at the protest meeting.

Condemning the police role, Jitendra Chaudhury alleged that the police were acting under government instructions. He said the government is both suppressing democratic rights and depriving people of their livelihoods, which is why it is afraid to face them. He further accused the government of trying to silence Opposition voices by creating “bike squads” and promoting lawlessness.

Vijoo Krishnan said the police action reflects the mindset of those in power, who cannot tolerate protest. He criticised the BJP-led government under Manik Saha, saying it has lost its direction. Quoting a famous line from Satyajit Ray’s film Hirak Rajar Deshe, he mocked the authorities and questioned claims about benefits like the Seventh Pay Commission and employment, asking why youth are still migrating to other states like Kerala for work. He also highlighted the agrarian crisis, stating that over 150,000 farmers and agricultural labourers have died by suicide in the last 11 years under the Modi government, and accused it of making pro-US trade agreements at the cost of farmers. Krishnan contrasted Tripura with Kerala, where he claimed better minimum support prices and social assistance schemes exist.

Other leaders, including Aghore Debbarma and Pabitra Kar, strongly criticised the government, accusing it of failing to provide basic support to farmers while using police force to suppress protests. Kar alleged that police deliberately provoked clashes and physically assaulted him, tearing his clothes and breaking his glasses. Leaders warned that such repression would not stop the movement, and announced that protests would intensify across the state in the coming days. (END)