Agartala, March 27, 2025: Frustrated by six months of severe water shortages and erratic electricity supply, rehabilitated Reang refugees residing in the hilly areas took to the streets on Thursday. The protesters staged a road blockade at West Kalajhari along the Amarpur-Gandacherra route demanding immediate access to drinking water and a stable power supply. The demonstration led to a complete standstill of vehicular movement, causing immense difficulties for daily commuters.
“We have been suffering for months without drinking water. The supply through tankers has been stopped, and the administration has ignored our pleas. We have no choice but to protest,” said a local protester.
According to reports, the rehabilitated Reang refugees have been facing an acute crisis since the past six months. The water supply, which was earlier provided through tankers, has been completely halted, leaving the residents to struggle for every drop of water. “We are forced to fetch water from distant sources, which is neither safe nor sufficient for our families,” lamented another protester.
Electricity woes have further compounded their hardships. “There is electricity only in name. The voltage is so low that even a fan does not work properly. And to make matters worse, there are long power cuts throughout the day,” alleged a resident.
Despite repeated appeals to the administration, no concrete action was taken, forcing the community to resort to the road blockade. The protest, which began early in the morning, paralyzed traffic movement along the crucial Amarpur-Gandachhara route. Passengers, including students and office-goers, were left stranded for hours due to the agitation.
Upon receiving information about the protest, senior administrative officials rushed to the scene to pacify the demonstrators. “We understand the grievances of the people, and we assure them that immediate steps will be taken to resolve the crisis,” an official stated.
Following discussions and assurances from the administration, the protesters decided to withdraw their blockade. However, they warned that if their demands are not met soon, they would be compelled to intensify their agitation.
