Agartala: All the major political parties in Tripura rejected the demand for a separate ‘Twipra land’ raised by Indigenous People’s Front of Twipra (IPFT), a tribal-based party.
Secretary of the state Committee of ruling CPI-M, Bijan Dhar on Monday said, “We oppose this demand because it is divisive, irresponsible and politically motivated. This demand for Twipra land is aimed at creating a separate state by dividing the small Tripura state, which would increase the sufferings of the people.”
The IPFT, in a statement earlier, called for blockade of the Assam-Agartala National Highway on June 22 for 24 hours to press for their demand.
“This demand is aimed at destabilizing the communal harmony between tribal and non-tribal communities of the state and against peace and development of the state,” the CPI-M leader told reporters here.
The IPFT demanded to carve out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), home to the tribals, who constitute one-third of the state population and occupy two-third of the state territory to form the new state.
Mrinal K Deb, spokesman of BJP said, “We are not against the demand of small states, but oppose this demand strongly, because it would create geographical isolation to people. The tribal council area, which they want to convert into a full-fledged state is spread all over the districts of the state, which is not feasible.” (PTI)
