Thousands of members of the Tripura Irregular Employees Forum took to the streets of Agartala on Friday in a massive demonstration titled ‘Mahakaran Abhiyan’, demanding justice and regularization for nearly 40,000 irregular government employees across the state.
The march began from the Agartala Press Club, with plans to reach the State Secretariat to submit an eight-point charter of demands to Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha. However, heavy police barricading near the Circuit House prevented the protesters from proceeding further. Despite the roadblock, Forum representatives announced that their deputation would still be submitted after 4 PM, as scheduled.
Key Demands of the Forum
At the forefront of the protest, lawyer and Forum spokesperson Purushottam Roy Barman addressed the crowd, criticizing the government for failing to fulfill promises made in 2018.
“When the BJP came to power, it assured regularization of all irregular employees. Years have passed, but the commitment remains unfulfilled,” said Roy Barman.
The Forum’s eight-point charter includes:
- Regularization of all irregular employees.
- Equal pay for equal work.
- One-time ₹10 lakh compensation to irregular employees who have either retired or died during service.
- Other welfare-oriented policies aimed at ensuring job security and dignity.
Roy Barman emphasized that the movement is more than a protest—it’s a long-overdue call for justice, recognition, and humane treatment of thousands who have served without permanent status or adequate benefits.
This Mahakaran Abhiyan is a call for dignity. For years, these workers have supported government functions without basic employment rights,” he added.
Widespread Participation Across Tripura
The rally witnessed participation from various districts, with units of the Irregular Employees Forum joining in large numbers. When halted by the police, protesters raised powerful slogans demanding immediate action and vowed to continue their agitation until their voices are heard.
Despite the disruption, the Forum made it clear that the fight for rights, job security, and fair compensation will continue until concrete steps are taken by the state government.