Agartala: Nov 13. Frustrated with years of unfulfilled promises, residents of Tirthamukh under Gomati District on Thursday staged a road blockade demanding restoration of mobile network connectivity in the area. The protest took place on the Hamilton Bridge the main entry point to the Tirthamukh Mela ground just as administrative officials were on their way for a preparatory meeting ahead of the annual Poush Sankranti Mela.
The demonstrators stopped the officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shyamjoy Jamatia, and the District Magistrate Rinku Lather, to vent their frustration over the administration’s repeated verbal assurances that never turned into action. Locals said that despite yearly promises from Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha during 2023 post polls event at Mela assured that the mobile tower would be installed by December that year, two years have passed since. Even assurances were made by Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma and district authorities, mobile connectivity remains poor, leaving residents cut off from essential services.
Residents complained that the lack of mobile connectivity has crippled communication across hospitals, schools, and government offices. Doctors, health workers, and teachers often avoid visiting the area due to the persistent network gap, locals said. They added that villagers are forced to spend around Rs 1,200 just to reach Nutan Bazar CHC for medical services. Students, too, struggle to attend online classes or access study materials, making education an uphill battle in the digital age.
District Magistrate Rinku Lathar, who reached the spot, assured the protesters that necessary steps would be taken to restore proper mobile network services within two months. Following this verbal assurance, the residents lifted the blockade.
However, the agitators warned that if no visible progress is made before the upcoming Tirthamukh Mela, they would intensify their protest and “gherao” ministers attending the fair.
