3000 Congress activists arrested in North Tripura

Agartala, Aug. 13 (UNI) About 3000 Congress activists were today arrested for picketing in support of their 12-hour bandh in North and Dhalai districts of Tripura.

The bandh, sponsored by dissident faction of Congress party led by former chief Birajit Sinha, was called demanding fulfilment of their 21-point charter of demands.

Mr Sinha alleged the ruling Left Front government had failed to provide adequate health care facilities to about 14-lakh population in northern part of the state. The government also failed to provide other basic amenities due to corruption in rank and files of the administration, Mr Sinha said.

As many as 111 people have died of malaria in last three months in remote Longtarai valley sub-division of Dhalai district.

Police said more than 3000 people, who were demonstrating in support of the strike in front of different government offices, were arrested.

The movement of traffic on National Highway 44 was also badly affected due to the bandh while most of the business establishments, government offices and academic institutions were closed in response to the bandh.

UNI