AGARTALA, Aug 29 (TIWN): After much protests Tripura Forest Dept employees at last have sat in hunger strike in demand of being regularized. The agitators also have blocked the forest office’s main gate not allowing anybody to enter the office. Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia who denied to meet the casual employees, today has called the agitators and asked to stop their Hunger Strike till Death. But the protesters have strictly denied for withdrawing the the strike, neither they are ready to accept the ‘State Govt is incapable to regularize them’. While agitating in front of the forest dept office (Aranya Bhawan) at Gorkhabosti, the employees said, “The Central Govt in 2016 via a notification strictly told Tripura Govt that it has to follow the guidelines of the Central regularization policy. But the state govt has not regularized us till day”.

The notification was published in 2014 dictating the regularization of the casual staffs working on temporary basis, but no action has been taken so far.

In a letter to the Chief Minister of Tripura, the casual Forest Dept employees wrote, "We, total 363 casual labours are urging you humbly to regularize all of us. Whereas we protested for our rights jointly but it has been seen that 148 casual labours have been regularized by the state govt but others have not. 215 employees have not regularized as per the information. So we are requesting to you regularize total 363 employees together either in Group-D FFW or by creating new posts for us".The agitators also alleged that the Central Govt had ordered to regularize the employees in 2014 via a notification. In this regard the notification of the central govt was has also been shared with media by the complainers.

Earlier, Manik Sarkar who had made the Forest Dept contractual employees happy on May-31st saying that they will be regularized. The employees who were denied by Forest & Finance Minister for meeting was very happy when atlast the Chief Minister talked to them and said, "I will open your files". After CM's promise the irregular forest dept employees wanted to meet the Finance Minister but his PA didn't allow to meet them. But suddenly it has been leaked that 148 employees have been regularized by Forest Dept whereas others have not. The deprived irregular employees thus have demanded to go for hunger strike that can be extended with 'Hunger Strike till Death'.

There are total 386 irregular employees in Forest Dept are working since 15 years, but the state govt has no concern to make them regular, alleged the irregular employees while standing in front of CM’s residence.

The agitators further said that when they met the Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia at his residence, instead of showing sympathy the Forest Minister blasted them asking whereas BJP has sent them with demands.

Reportedly, later Manik Sarkar met them and told them he will look after the issue and open their file soon, but only 148 employees were selected as per the choice of the state govt. 

The Hunger Strike was withdrawan at 2 PM after they Govt told them they will regularize from Sep-5.