Agartala, 7th August 2026: Left-backed trade unions and farmers’ organisations in Tripura on Friday announced their participation in the nationwide ‘Jail Bharo’ (Fill the Jails) agitation scheduled for August 10, protesting against alleged corruption, attacks on workers’ and farmers’ rights, unemployment, and various anti-people policies of the Central government.
Addressing a press conference, CITU State General Secretary Shankar Prasad Dutta said the programme is being organised jointly by CITU, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Tripura Khet Mazdoor Union (TKMU), and GMP. He said the protest is observed every year to commemorate the historic Quit India Movement launched on August 9, 1942. However, as August 9 falls on a Sunday this year, the nationwide programme has been rescheduled for August 10.
Dutta claimed that more than one million people are expected to participate in the agitation across the country. He alleged that despite promising employment, the Central government has failed to generate adequate jobs, leading to growing unemployment. He further accused the government of weakening labour rights by replacing existing labour laws with new labour codes that, according to him, favour corporate interests at the cost of workers’ welfare.
Speaking at the press conference, CITU State President Manik Dey alleged that corruption has become widespread across the country. He claimed that while unemployment continues to rise, public resources are being looted and government assets are being sold off at throwaway prices. According to him, these developments have weakened democratic institutions and compelled workers and farmers to launch the “Jail Bharo” movement in protest.
The press conference was also attended by farmers’ leaders Pabitra Kar, Shyamal Dey, and Madhusudan Das, who appealed to workers, farmers, and the general public to participate in the August 10 protest programme.
