Agartala, Aug 4: In a strong show of protest, villagers from Dalucherra under Bhagaban Nagar Gram Panchayat staged a road blockade on National Highway 208, demanding urgent attention to drinking water shortages and the renovation of their main village road. The agitation brought traffic to a halt for several hours, stranding numerous vehicles and commuters on both sides of the highway.
According to the villagers, they have been deprived of a permanent drinking water source for years. Despite repeated verbal and written complaints to local authorities and the panchayat, no effective measures were taken. They alleged that even emergency water supply through tankers was not provided.
Protesters also expressed frustration over the poor condition of the main road in the village. They accused the concerned panchayat member of misusing allocated funds and failing to carry out the promised renovation work. The villagers claimed that complaints submitted to the Gournagar Block Development Officer, Unakoti District Magistrate, and SDM of Kailashahar were largely ignored.
“We vote during every election like everyone else, but we are left with no water and no roads. Are we asking for too much by demanding basic needs?” questioned one of the agitated villagers.
Despite the arrival of police and Tripura State Rifles personnel around noon, the protestors refused to lift the blockade, insisting on immediate assurances.
Later, Deputy Magistrate Mati Ranjan Debbarma, officials from the Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) department including Nirmal Chandra Biswas, along with representatives from the Gournagar Block and local panchayat leaders, reached the spot for negotiations.
Following the discussions, villagers were promised drinking water supply twice daily via tankers and road repair work to begin within a week. Satisfied with the assurances, the protest was called off around 2 PM.
