Angry mob block roads, burn tyres in demand of petrol in Agartala

The ongoing fuel crisis in Tripura took a turn for the worse, with thousands of angry youth blocked roads and burnt tyres at several places in Agartala, alleging that the state government is responsible for the situation.

The protesters said they have been waiting in the queue for petrol for several hours.

"The Tripura government led by Manik Sarkar has failed to give us service, and that is why we are protesting," said a protester Ratan Saha.

"The BJP-led government in Delhi has made laws, but the state government does not care about those laws, and now, they have further introduced an odd-even system," Saha added.

"Moreover, there is no officer, who can inform us about the situation and brief us about the method through which we can get petrol. If we do not get petrol properly then Manik Sarkar will have to resign," Saha stated.

Another protester, Tapan Bhowmik, said, "I stood in a queue at 6.10 a.m. and was there till 3 p.m., and when my turn came, they said there is no petrol and we are facing these difficulties from more than a month."

Thousands of agitators blocked road and demanded that until there are provided petrol they shall not open the road for any vehicle movement.

This has created heavy congestions throughout the city.

Meantime, the Tripura Public Works Department Minister Badal Chowdhury alleged that there is political instigation behind the protests.

"Today, there are road blockages and protests but the actual facts have not been revealed about the political intentions and I believe that the people of Tripura will not believe them," said Choudhury.

"If the crises are not handled in proper manner by the Assam government, then the Centre should intervene and takeover the responsibility (to repair the NH-8) and we are hopeful it will be over soon. The Assam government is unwilling and so we would request the Central government, especially the MRTS to take the responsibility of repairing the road as they use to do earlier," Choudhury added.

To overcome the ongoing fuel crisis going in Tripura from past two months, the state government after rationing of petrol had started an odd-even distribution of fuel on alternate days, but there was not much change rather the situation has worsened. After petrol, now diesel crisis have also started.

Meantime, some school authorities in Agartala have suspended classes as buses could not ply due to diesel crisis.

Incessant rain and flooding have made the national highway more of a muddy field in the neighbouring Assam, due to which thousands of loaded trucks and tankers were unable to enter the state.