Agartala, May 16: Tension prevailed outside the office of the Tripura Forest Development and Plantation Corporation (TFDPC) in Agartala on Saturday as nearly 200 workers staged a protest against a recent move to terminate a section of employees. The demonstration was organised under the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Sangh (BJMS), with workers demanding immediate intervention from the authorities.
The protest erupted following the circulation of notices across several TFDPC centres directing the removal of a number of workers, many of whom have reportedly been serving the corporation for the last 10 to 20 years. Agitated employees alleged that the decision was taken without proper consultation or justification, leaving hundreds of families uncertain about their future.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters accused the corporation management of treating long-serving workers unfairly despite their years of contribution to the organisation. Union leaders termed the move “arbitrary and unjust,” claiming that experienced employees were being discarded without any clear explanation.
Speaking during the protest, representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Sangh said the workers had dedicated a significant part of their lives to the corporation and deserved job security and dignity. They warned that sudden retrenchment would severely affect the livelihood of many economically vulnerable families.
Later in the day, a delegation of workers submitted a four-point memorandum to the Managing Director of TFDPC. In the memorandum, the workers demanded financial compensation for retrenched employees based on their monthly wages and years of service.
The union also sought the introduction of a “Rainy Day Allowance” to support workers during periods of low work availability and financial hardship. Another major demand was that at least 70 percent of future recruitment should be reserved for skilled workers already associated with the corporation.
Additionally, the protesters called for the removal of redundant and over-aged staff members to create employment opportunities for educated youth.
Union leaders warned that if the demands were ignored, the agitation would intensify in the coming days. The protest has highlighted growing concerns over job security and the treatment of long-serving workers within the corporation, putting pressure on the management to respond swiftly.
