Opposition demands to revoke 144 from Tripura

Agartala, Mar 18 : The opposition CPI (M) and Congress demanded to revoke
section 144 of CrPC, which has been imposed across Tripura on March 16 night
prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The parties believed that it has triggered panic among the common people and also
indicated a design of the government to stop all movements and democratic assemblies
against them.
The leader of the opposition and former chief minister Manik Sarkar alleged that the
imposition of prohibitory orders was a design to nip in the bud any movement by
10,323 ad hoc teachers, who will be jobless this month.
“I have been to Delhi very recently and saw the precautionary measures put in place
by the government there as also the preventive steps taken by other state governments
but nowhere in India prohibitory orders under section 144 have been enforced as
preemptive measure against coronavirus,” Sarkar said.
He further questioned when all public institutions, markets and offices have been
functioning as usual how 144 would be valid? And added that since inception of
BJP-IPFT government in Tripura, people have lost all democratic rights and right to
protests. The opposition supporters were physically assaulted and facing multiple
problem in day to day life. Party offices of opposition parties were attacked but
government become a silent spectator.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Subal Bhowmik alleged that to stop movement against
the government for it’s failure to keep promises in two years of rule, 144 has been
promulgated across the state in the name of coronavirus prevention and added,
“Congress was prepared to launch series of agitation across the state during the
budget session of assembly but it is foiled. We demand to withdraw the order
immediately and allow people to live peacefully.”
However, health department sources stated that so far 39 persons were kept in
surveillance who had travelled from abroad. As many as five persons including three
in hospitals have been under observation of coronavirus though initial test found
them negative.
The government has intensified surveillance in all the entry points and launched
campaign for personal hygiene to fight against COVID-19.
UNI.