Agartala, July 09, 2025: The nationwide general strike called by ten central trade unions on July 9 witnessed significant participation across Tripura, according to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) State Secretary Shankar Prasad Datta.
Addressing a press conference at CITU’s state head office here in Agartala city on Wednesday, Datta claimed that the strike received widespread support from both urban and rural regions of the state, affecting key sectors like transport, education, and banking.
“People have responded to the strike in every possible way from the cities to the remote villages,” Datta said.
He added that around 80% of drivers refrained from operating their vehicles, resulting in near-empty bus stands such as Kailashahar, Radhanagar and Udaipur. Reports from transport hubs indicated that some vehicles were forced to hit the roads under pressure, but most returned mid-route due to a lack of passengers. At Nagerjala, only 12 out of the usual 55 e-rickshaws were operational till 10 a.m., while buses from Udaipur, usually dispatched every 8 minutes, were seen departing once an hour often without passengers.
In the education sector, MBB University declared a holiday in anticipation of the strike, and several school buses in Agartala reportedly ran without students. Datta also noted that 60% of banking staff, 72% of insurance sector workers, and 82% of BSNL employees in the state supported the strike.
CITU leaders alleged that members of the ruling party tried to intimidate workers and stall the strike. “Drivers were threatened, shopkeepers were pressured to open shops, and ruling party activists tried to counter the strike with street presence,” said former minister Manik Dey, who also addressed the press. “But despite these threats, the public’s support has been overwhelming.”
Sanyukta Kisan Morcha’s state Secretary Pabitra Kar added that farmers from rural Tripura also joined the strike in large numbers. “Vegetables from rural areas didn’t arrive in the urban markets today — a clear indication of the farming community’s support.”
In conclusion, CITU thanked the people of the state, claiming the strike was not only successful nationwide but also had a “tremendous impact” in Tripura.
