Unloading of food items in godowns suffers in Tripura

TRADE UNION RIVALRY

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA: Supply of food items in all the ration shops in the Tripura may suffer due to non-clearance of loaded trucks standing in front of food godowns in various places.

It is learnt that a section of trade union leaders are preventing the truck owners and workers from unloading food items due to unknown reason.

Irate truck owners and workers on Thursday resorted to a road blockade movement at Madhababri area in Jirania sub-division demanding immediate unloading of the trucks. The blockade was withdrawn after intervention by the Sub-divisional magistrate Subhasish Bandopadhya and assurance from the administration but according to report unloading of trucks has not yet started.

The stalemate started since an incident of clash between the supporters of two unions — the Tripura Truck and Bus Owners Syndicate and the Tripura Truck Driver Mazdoor Sangha three days back. Though both the unions are claiming to be BJP supporters but the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, the trade union wing of the party, has denied that they have affiliated any of them.

Though peace has been restored, the loading and unloading of trucks are yet to begin as both the sides are threatening each other. Both the sides are alleging that the former CITU members infiltrated into the rival organization and creating trouble.

Situation has reached in such a stage that administrative authorities are worried if it will be possible for them to ensure timely supply of rice and other items in the fair price shops before Durga Puja.

The stalemate is going on in some of the godowns from where foodstuff are sent to interior areas but if this continues the food department will find it difficult to send food items in all the ration shops specially in remote areas, said an official.