Agartala, December 31, 2024: Tripura’s former Chief Minister and Politburo member Manik Sarkar faced a wave of public anger during the fourth district conference of the CPI(M) in Dharmanagar under North Tripura district. The event was held at the Vivekananda Swardha Satabarshiki Bhavan, saw residents demanding the immediate return of their money lost in the Rose Valley scam.

The conference scheduled as per the pre-determined agenda began with party member Aghore Debbarma hoisting the party flag. The event was attended by Sarkar, Aghore Debbarma and Pabitra Kar. However, the proceedings were overshadowed by a large protest led by women from Dharmanagar city.

Chanting slogans like “We are poor! We want the return of Rose Valley money,” the protesters marched through various streets before converging in front of the conference venue. Despite the police barricade preventing them from entering the building, the women continued their demonstration outside, voicing their frustration and demands.

“Rose Valley built a massive empire across states like Tripura, West Bengal, and Assam, collecting deposits from millions of people with enticing projects,” explained one protester. “But they fled with our hard-earned money, leaving us in despair.”

The Rose Valley scam has left a lasting impact on the people of Tripura, who are still reeling from the financial losses. The depositors have sought help from the administration, but their efforts have yielded little result. The scandal even led to a CBI investigation, during which a woman minister from the then Left Front government was questioned. Leaders of the CPI(M), including Manik Sarkar, have faced criticism for their alleged involvement.

“Manik Sarkar’s presence here today has reignited our anger,” said another protester. “We demand that all the money taken by Rose Valley be returned to us.”

The protest highlights the ongoing struggle of the affected depositors, who continue to seek justice and restitution. The public’s outcry at the CPI(M) conference highlights the deep-seated resentment and unresolved issues stemming from the Rose Valley scam.