BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 2nd April 2024: The Tripura Bamboo Based Handicrafts Manufacturers and Suppliers Association unveiled the dire predicament facing the traditional bamboo industry in the state. Speaking on behalf of the association, T. Chakraborty addressed the media in a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club on Tuesday.
The association, representing producers and suppliers integral to Tripura’s traditional bamboo industry, disclosed that a staggering 90 percent of the state’s bamboo-cane products are typically supplied abroad, contributing significantly to the local economy for decades. However, recent events have cast a dark shadow over the industry’s future.
On December 02, a vehicle owned by TCIXPS TRANSPORT, a well-known transport company, was subjected to a search. Shockingly, authorities discovered 48 packets of bamboo-cane cargo onboard, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 6 lakh. The materials remained under police custody until January 23rd, when they were finally released. However, the aftermath of the seizure has left a devastating impact.
Many of the items intended for shipment still languish in storage, unreleased to customers. The association attributes this delay to the manner in which the product packets were handled during the search operation. Describing the situation, Chakraborty lamented that the packets were torn apart to such an extent that the contents became unrecognizable. Blame has been squarely placed on the police force, with accusations of wanton destruction of valuable goods.
The ramifications of this incident are grave, not only for the association but also for the thousands of artisans and workers whose livelihoods depend on the bamboo-cane industry. As Tripura grapples with the fallout from this episode, urgent calls for accountability and restitution echo through the corridors of power. The future of the state’s esteemed bamboo handicraft industry hangs precariously in the balance, awaiting decisive action to salvage its once-thriving trade.
