AGARTALA, Dec 11 - Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has appealed to all sections of people, including political parties and organisations, to maintain peace amid the indefinite strike called by the Joint Movement Against Citizenship Amendment Bill (JMACAB), a conglomeration of tribal political parties and organisations.
In an official release, Deb said that the ongoing bandh called by a few political parties has brought immense sufferings to the people in the form of halt to transport and communication services, and postponement of examinations in schools, colleges and universities.
�This is not a desirable situation and I earnestly appeal to the bandh sponsors to withdraw the bandh call. The doors of the Government are always open for peaceful solution to any problem through discussion. The State Government is ready to hold discussions at any time,� said the Chief Minister.
He appealed to all to come forward to keep the development process in the State intact. �Let us restore normalcy in all walks of life in the public interest,� Deb said.
Despite blockades and tension in some areas of Dhalai, North and Khowai districts, the situation is under control and additional paramilitary forces have been deployed, he said.
�Assam Rifles, CRPF and BSF jawans were deployed in some tense areas to bring confidence among the people. No Army deployment has been made so far,� said government officials.
Meanwhile, the Joint Movement Against Citizenship Amendment Bill tonight called off its indefinite strike following an assurance of a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, official sources confirmed here.
The development came following a meeting between Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and a JMACAB delegation held at the Chief Minister�s office here tonight.
�The Chief Minister assured us that he would arrange a meeting with the Union Home Minister at the earliest to share our concern over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We are happy with the promise of the Chief Minister,� said BK Hrangkhawl, a senior tribal leader who was a part of the JMACAB delegation.
�There will be no strike or blockade from tomorrow itself as we have called off the movement against the CAB,� he said
Meanwhile, the NFR has suspended all trains from Agartala, while there was no vehicular movement as JMACAB supporters staged a blockade along some stretches of the Assam-Agartala national highway. The Internet service, which was discontinued on Tuesday, has not been restored yet.
Tension runs high at Ambassa in Dhalai district and Kamalpur subdivision following a clash between bandh supporters and villagers.
In Nakpole area of Ambassa and Kamalpur Road, the police had to resort to blank firing to disperse fighting crowds. But no major injuries were reported.
