BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 11th September 2025: A 12-hour shutdown called by the Unakoti District Congress Committee today over an 11-point charter of demands brought Kailashahar to a standstill.
From early morning, Congress workers and supporters took to the streets, burning tyres and blocking roads. Vehicular movement was severely disrupted across the town, most shops remained shut, and attendance at government offices was notably low despite them being open.
However, the bandh was marred by reports of unrest and irregularities. A major controversy erupted at the Chinibagan checkpoint, where police were accused of taking bribes. A truck driver alleged, “We were bringing goods from Dharmanagar. The police took ₹200 from us, but soon after crossing the checkpoint, miscreants attacked our vehicle and assaulted me and my companion. We are now hospitalized.” Another truck driver claimed his stationary vehicle was vandalized by Congress activists.
Around noon, Congress MLA Birajit Sinha, district Congress president Badruzzaman and over a hundred party workers were detained by police and taken to the Old Town Hall. They were released shortly after. The Congress maintained that their protest was peaceful and accused BJP leaders of orchestrating the violence.
Meanwhile, BJP activists led by Mandal president Pritam Ghosh and state committee member Nitish Dey held a counter bike rally across the town. Ghosh stated, “The Congress has lost public support. Their disruptive bandh has been rejected by the people. Such actions ahead of Durga Puja are unacceptable.”
Addressing a press conference, MLA Birajit Sinha criticized the BJP-led municipal council, alleging that internal conflicts between the chairman and vice-chairman had stalled development. “Even light rain causes waterlogging. Despite crores being spent, roads remain in poor condition. The promised airport from 2018 is still a dream. If our demands are not met, we will escalate our movement,” he warned.
The police also faced criticism during the bandh. Congress workers alleged that a police officer hurled abuses while intoxicated. District Superintendent of Police Sudhambika R assured action if evidence is found. “Patrolling has been ongoing across the subdivision. Minor incidents occurred, but no major untoward situation arose. The police stand with the public,” she said.
Tripura Minister Sudhanshu Das strongly condemned the violence in a social media post, accusing Congress of staging chaos under the leadership of a local MLA. “A rejected party like Congress has unleashed goons on the streets to target Hindu-owned vehicles and businesses. On the eve of festive celebrations, they are deliberately harassing traders and disturbing public life. This undemocratic behaviour is unacceptable,” he wrote.
Das further claimed that the bandh served no public interest and only deepened the suffering of ordinary citizens. He alleged that the disruption of commerce and intimidation of locals revealed Congress’s “anti-Hindu mindset.”
Appealing to the peace-loving residents of Kailashahar, the minister urged citizens to raise their voices against such “anarchic and anti-democratic activities.” He called for a united stand by both the administration and the public to resist what he described as Congress’s “shameful conduct.”
By day’s end, while Congress declared the bandh a success, both the ruling party and opposition BJP labeled it anti-people, leaving Kailashahar politically charged.
