A record 170,000 CPI-M leaders, members and supporters were Tuesday arrested after participating in an agitation against the central government over corruption and price rise, police said. They were released after some time.
Over 170,000 Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders, members and supporters were arrested from more than 50 places in the state after participating in the 'Gana Satyagraha' (mass picketing), a police official said.
"The mass picketing across Tripura was peaceful. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state," Inspector General of Police Nepal Das told IANS.
Those arrested included CPI-M state secretary Bijan Dhar, state party spokesman Gautam Das and many party legislators.
According to CPI-M leaders, over 200,000 partymen organised mass picketing in more than 50 places in front of the central government offices in support of eight-point demands.
The eight-point demands include right to land and house-sites, curbing price rise, right to food, right to education and health, right to employment, ensuring social justice, ending corruption, farmers rights and stopping FDI in retail trade.
"Over 200,000 people of all ages including women and tribals took part in the agitation, organised as part of the CPI-M's nationwide programme," Das told IANS.