A 24-hour bandh called by the newly formed Tripura Civil Society on Thursday saw a mixed reaction across the state, with most hill areas coming to a complete stop while life in the plains went on almost as usual, officials said.

The group had called for the strike to press its eight-point list of demands, which included implementing the Tiprasa Accord, identifying illegal immigrants as per Ministry of Home Affairs directions, and setting up detention camps in every district.

The bandh began at 6 a.m. and brought daily life to a halt in several areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, where the Tipra Motha Party has strong support.

Shops and markets remained closed and vehicles stayed off the roads. However, in the plains, most offices and businesses continued to function normally with very little disturbance.

State police spokesperson Rajdeep Deb said the situation stayed peaceful throughout the morning with no incidents of violence reported till 10 a.m.

“Supporters blocked roads at 36 locations, affecting vehicular movement. Train services between Agartala and Dharmanagar were briefly disrupted, though operations from Agartala to Sabroom continued as usual,” he said.

Extra security forces were stationed in sensitive areas and riot control teams were kept on standby to prevent any unrest.

Chief Minister Manik Saha criticised the bandh, saying that such actions only slow down development in the state. Without taking any names, he hinted that the strike was politically motivated.

“People know who is behind this. Many NGOs themselves have opposed the bandh. It seems intended only to attract media attention rather than serve public interest,” Saha told reporters at Takarjala in Sepahijala district.

CPI state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury also rejected the bandh, calling its demands “unrelated to the people’s immediate concerns.”

The Tiprasa Accord, signed in March last year between Tipra Motha Party, the Centre, and the Tripura government, was meant to promote the social and economic development of the state’s tribal communities.