AIKS Calls Agitation Over Worsening Farmer Situation in Tripura

 The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) state committee has announced a statewide protest here in the state from this November against the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, accusing them of failing to assist farmers during the ongoing cultivation season.

The decision was taken recently at a state committee meeting attended by representatives from all eight districts, said AIKS state secretary Pabitra Kar on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference at Krishak Bhavan on Saturday, Pabitra Kar said that reports from across the districts revealed acute hardship faced by farmers due to the unavailability of essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation facilities.

“This is the peak vegetable season, and yet farmers are not receiving the necessary seeds, fertilizers, or water for irrigation. The entire Horticulture to Agriculture department seems to be asleep,” Kar remarked.

He drew a comparison with the previous Left Front government, saying, “Earlier, under the Left Front regime, these necessities were ensured. Now, such support has become nothing but a dream.”

Kar announced that after November 15, the AIKS state committee will stage protest demonstrations in front of agriculture department offices across different districts of Tripura to highlight farmers’ demands and expose administrative negligence.

Referring to media reports claiming that Kisan Sabha activists were allegedly driven away from Bhagalpur village under Mohanpur subdivision, Kar dismissed the reports as false.

“Nothing of that sort happened. We completed our membership campaign there peacefully and even had tea with local residents before leaving for Sonamura,” he clarified. However, Kar said that sugarcane farmers in Bhagalpur are indeed facing serious challenges due to the government’s failure to supply seeds, fertilizers, and ensure irrigation, leading to poor yields.

Regarding membership drive, he informed that the Tripura Kisan Sabha has launched a record membership drive starting November 1, with more than 5,000 new members joining on the first day itself. The campaign will continue until November 10, during which the organization will also document farmers’ grievances at the grassroots level, he added.