Udaipur, September 10: The Gomati district committee of the Tripura Scheduled Caste Coordination Committee held a protest march and demonstration at Udaipur on Thursday, pressing for a 10-point set of demands.
The march began at Jamtala and passed through several key areas, including Central Road, the old motor stand and the banks of Mahadev Dighi, before concluding outside the Gomati District Magistrate’s office. A delegation of the organisation later met the District Magistrate and submitted a memorandum outlining its demands.
State secretary Sudhan Das, Dilip Dutta, Nikhil Das and other leaders, activists and supporters of the organisation took part in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Sudhan Das said the protest was organised to highlight issues affecting Scheduled Caste communities and the wider population of Tripura. He called for consideration of an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates in the state.
The organisation also demanded an increase in working days and wages under rural employment programmes, including MGNREGA and TUEP. Other demands included up to 100 units of free electricity for each household, speedy recruitment against vacant government posts and measures to control rising prices of essential commodities.
Das also raised concerns over the state’s healthcare and education systems. He alleged that hospitals face shortages of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers, while gaps in medicines and services also affect patients.
He also claimed that many schools do not have adequate numbers of teachers despite having students enrolled, which he said was affecting the quality of education.
On rising prices, Das said increasing costs of essential goods were putting pressure on ordinary households. He also criticised the government over what he described as a lack of adequate action to address the issue.
The organisation appealed to people to unite over various issues affecting the state and the country. It also warned of a larger movement if its demands are not addressed at the earliest.
