Agartala: The 72-hour bandh called by surrendered militant organisations NLFT and ATTF threw normal life completely out of gear across Tripura on Friday, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded at bus stands and forcing ordinary citizens to wander helplessly in search of transport, while leaders and ministers remained conspicuously silent.
Scenes of frustration and helplessness were clearly visible at Radhanagar Bus Stand in the state capital Agartala, where stranded commuters vented their anger before journalists, launching a scathing attack on the state government’s failure to prevent the disruption. Small vehicles were found operating only up to Mohanpur, while the route to Kailashahar via Khowai and Manik Bhandar was completely shut down. Vehicles from Khowai, Teliamura, Kailashahar, and several other areas remained off the roads, causing massive inconvenience to daily commuters, patients, students, and traders.
Angry citizens told journalists that while ordinary people suffer harassment and waste precious time wandering from one bus stand to another, leaders and ministers sit comfortably with their monthly salaries intact, paying no heed to the plight of the common man. “They talk about Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas — where is the development? Let the people go to hell, it makes no difference to the leaders,” said one visibly frustrated commuter.
Citizens questioned the state government’s apparent inaction in the face of the bandh call, pointing out that the threat was publicly announced well in advance through press conferences, yet no concrete preventive measures were taken to ensure the smooth functioning of public transport and essential services.
The bandh has once again exposed the vulnerability of ordinary citizens caught between militant pressure and administrative indifference.