Normal life paralysed in Agartala by Congress-led strike

Agartala (Tripura), Aug.12 (ANI): A dawn to dusk strike called by Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) is being observed in Agartala today.The Congress is demanding the withdrawal of a Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) notification regarding a hike in property tax.Normal life has been disturbed as the capital city wore a deserted look since morning. Angry protesters reportedly attacked a vehicle and damaged it. Other minor incidents across the city were also reported.Schools, education institutions, business establishment and markets remained closed.Traffic movement in AMC area and government offices including civil secretariat showed a skeleton presence.However, the civil administration directed the employees to be in the work place but picketing in major destinations has prevented them to go.Special arrangements have been made for those going to the airport along with police escort.Rekha Rani Das, a airport goer said, "I came from Dhaleshwar in an ambulance and from here going to airport in police vehicle."Extra forces have been deployed across the city to avert any untoward incident.According to report, no long distance bus could able to run today but train run with minimum passengers. There is no report of any clash and violence.The police made special arrangements for guarding all vulnerable installations including hospitals.TPCC president Birajit Sinha alleged that the Left-ruled AMC had hiked the property tax without ensuring minimum civic amenities to citizens.He further alleged the basic minimum services in AMC area including water supply, waste management and sustainable transportation have not yet been assured in Agartala by the left front government instead they proposed to increase the tax to grab more money from the centre.Common people, especially office goers though are facing problem due to the strike but supported that the cause of the protest by INC is justified as the hike in property tax by AMC is unjustified.Sanjay Majumder, a banker said, "I have to go to Jirania and work in the United Bank there. Due to the strike we are facing problem and I am managing to go along with my friend. However I feel that the hike in the tax is too much."Recently other political parties including BJP and TMC had protested against AMC plans to hike tax without improving services. (ANI)