THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life marched in unision against imperialism and war across the state on September 1, at the call of Anti-war Platform, Tripura. A huge and colourful rally in Agartala saw a determined challenge against the warmongers and warned against any attempt to turn India into a junior partner of US strategic designs. 

The rally in Agartala started with Professor Mihir Deb and state PWD minister Badal Chowdhury releasing white pigeons, while CPI(M) state secretary Bijan Dhar, MPs Jitendra Chowdhury, Sankarprasad Datta and deputy speaker of assembly Pabitra Kar released baloons.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, convener of Anti-war Platform, Tripura, Mihir Deb, leaders of democratic movement including Bijan Dhar, Gautam Das, Rama Das, ministers Badal Chowdhury, Tapan Chakraborty, Ratan Bhowmik, Sahid Chowdhury, MPs Jitendra Chowdhury, Sankarprasad Datta, Jharna Das, mayor of Agartala, Dr Prafullajit Sinha and other leaders were in the forefront of the rally. They were being followed by workers, peasants, teachers, employees, engineers, doctors, writers, painters, intellectuals, sportspersons, lawyers, paramedics, nurses, differently-abled persons, youth, students, women and all other sections of the society.

Scrolls, banners, suncaps, placards and flags and tableaux were the main attractions of the colourful rally. Children had painted a 90 metre long canvas with pictures against war. Few days ago, the Anti-war platform organised a signature campaign.  The canvas full of signatures and the huge collage of paintings by the children were also part of the rally. The entire rally reverberated with slogans against war, demanded immediate scrapping of Indo-US strategic deals. It demanded food, shelter, education and job for all. Poems, songs and slogans mingled as the rally marched through the streets of Agartala.

Apart from Agartala, every district and sub-division headquarters saw similarly enthusiastic and colourful rallies for peace and against war. Everywhere students, youth, workers, women and people from all the sections of society made the rallies vibrant, colourful and vocal against the evils of imperialist war designs.