Tripura Paralysed: General Strike’s Staggering Impact

Agartala, Tripura – July 9, 2025 witnessed an unprecedented halt across Tripura as a nationwide general strike, spearheaded by ten central trade unions, brought life to a standstill. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) lauded the “tremendous impact” of the strike in the northeastern state, citing widespread public support that effectively paralysed transport, education, and market activities.

Understanding the Tripura Strike Impact on Daily Life

The morning of July 9 painted a grim picture for daily commuters. Bus stands, usually bustling hubs of activity, lay deserted. Shankar Prasad Datta, State Secretary of CITU, confirmed that roughly 80% of drivers refrained from operating their vehicles, crippling public transport services. While isolated reports suggested attempts to coerce some vehicles into operation, many soon returned to their depots, empty and purposeless, a testament to the lack of passengers. The Nagerjala auto stand, typically vibrant with e-rickshaws, saw a mere 12 out of 55 vehicles attempting to ply, and even these found no takers. Inter-district travel was equally affected, with buses from Udaipur, usually frequent, departing on an hourly basis and often empty, signalling the public’s adherence to the strike.

Education and Economic Sectors Feel the Tripura Strike Impact

The ripple effect of the Tripura Strike Impact extended significantly into the education sector. MBB University proactively declared a holiday, while school buses across Agartala ran conspicuously empty, highlighting the absence of students and teachers alike. This widespread non-attendance underscored the solidarity of the academic community with the ongoing industrial action.

Economically, the strike’s grip was equally firm. The banking sector reported a 60% participation rate among its staff, causing significant disruptions to financial transactions. The insurance sector saw 72% of its employees join the protest, while BSNL employees demonstrated remarkable unity with an 82% participation rate. These figures, provided by CITU, illustrate the deep penetration of the strike across various crucial sectors of the state’s economy.

Allegations and Public Support Amidst the Tripura Strike Impact

Despite the widespread success, CITU leaders, including former minister Manik Dey, alleged that the ruling party attempted to undermine the strike through intimidation tactics. Reports surfaced of threats being issued to drivers and shopkeepers in an effort to force them into operation. However, according to CITU, these efforts proved futile against the overwhelming tide of public support and resolve.

The Tripura Strike Impact also resonated deeply within the agricultural community. Pabitra Kar, State Secretary of Sanyukta Kisan Morcha, noted the active participation of farmers from rural Tripura. This solidarity from the agricultural backbone of the state was immediately evident in urban markets, which remained largely devoid of fresh vegetables, a direct consequence of farmers joining the strike and disrupting the supply chain.

The Overwhelming Tripura Strike Impact: A Success for Trade Unions

Concluding their assessment, CITU expressed profound gratitude to the public, affirming the nationwide success of the general strike and its “tremendous impact” specifically within Tripura. The collective action demonstrated a strong show of force by the trade unions, highlighting the power of unified protest in demanding attention to workers’ grievances. The comprehensive shutdown across essential services and markets serves as a clear message from the people and various professional bodies to the authorities.