Agartala, August 11, 2025: Agartala witnessed renewed protests on Monday as a group of unemployed job aspirants met the Director of Fire and Emergency Services, seeking answers over the prolonged delay in recruitment for 304 fireman and 25 driver posts.

The candidates, who have been waiting for more than 1,000 days, said they had cleared the physical test last year and appeared for the written examination on January 8, 2023. However, no subsequent steps such as viva voce or final selection have taken place.

“Out of 50,000 applicants, only 1,700 of us qualified. We endured immense hardship to prepare and succeed. But now, it feels like all our efforts were in vain,” said one aspirant, accusing the department, headed by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, of showing “complete indifference” to their plight.

Frustrated with repeated appeals going unanswered, the job seekers questioned, “In which language will the government or the chief minister understand our suffering?” They criticised the irony of having to stage street protests despite the government’s claims of digitalisation and development.

Their demands include immediate scheduling of viva tests, speedy completion of the selection process, and prompt release of appointment letters. They have urged both Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and FRBT Chairman Pradip Acharjee to intervene and end the uncertainty for thousands of unemployed youth.