Agartala: The leaders of the National Federation of New States (NFNS) on Friday urged the tribal people of Tripura not to budge from their movement for separate Tipraland for the indigenous community.
BJP’s ally in Tripura government Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) organised the 11th demand day for separate statehood at Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council headquarters Khumlung where a large number of tribal people attended.
Addressing the gathering, NFNS leader Manish Tamang pointed out that India got independence with 12 states and a few hundreds of princely provinces.
However, over the years with the demand of the people and for better governance several new states were created.
In the latest instance, Jammu & Kashmir has been bifurcated into two Union Territories and earlier Telengana was created out of Andhra Pradesh.
“The demand of separate Tipraland for tribals is not unjustified or irrational. When two-third area of Tripura falls under the Sixth Schedule, which belongs to 31 per cent of the total population, it means the issue got importance and appropriate government should consider the demand,” Tamang said.
He further suggested the people to continue the demand with logical justification, so that the development of indigenous population will be intensified and added, “Demand for separate state is not illegal but we should not lose the courage to step back from the core issue whatever adversity comes to counter.”
IPFT leaders including Revenue Minister of the state NC Debbarma addressed the gathering and sought support from all sections of the society and political spectrum to ensure better governance and development of tribals of Tripura.
The IPFT has been agitating since 2009 for creation of a separate state by upgrading the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, which has jurisdiction over two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km area, home to over 12.16 lakh people.
The party has been celebrating August 23 every year as demand day for Tipraland. (UNI)
