Road and rail blockade called on June 22
Agartala: In the silver lining of accumulation of non-left votes in next 2018 assembly election to 60 members house of Tripura, the demand of separate Twipraland for tribal people of the state by the strongest tribal based Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) has become a stumbling block.
The IPFT has been motivating large number of hill people by demanding a separate tribal state through elevating Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to Twipraland.
The party has called for road and rail blockade on June 22 next to press for the demand. But the demand has not been accepted by any of the political party including tribal based opposition Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT).
The opposition BJP, Trinamool Congress and Congress vehemently opposed the demand of ‘Twipraland’ while ruling CPI-M made it clear that the party has decided to consolidate its activities to isolate IPFT in both hill and plains.
BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb said their party does not approve any such demand of separate state but BJP believes there is a need to strengthen ADC including style of functioning.
“BJP never support separate state demand raised by any political party. Yet, the party is in favour of transforming ADC into a state council with the provision of direct funding from the Centre for development of the tribals of Tripura,” Deb said.
He, however, pointed out that it is true indigenous people of Tripura are still remained deprived of basic amenities because of loop sighted development approach and large scale corruption in spite of huge financial support from the centre.
Despite having crores of rupees from the Centre under various programs, hundreds of tribals have been dying due to malaria and water-borne and summer diseases every year.
The tribals’ of the state is also deprived of basic services like health, education, transportation and drinking water, he alleged.
Trinamool Congress chairman Ratan Chakraborty said, the party is against the demand of separate state or state within the state.
“Of course, we want empowerment of the state’s lone tribal council by ensuring direct funding from the Centre”, he said.
Congress president Birajit Sinha stated that his party was not in favour of Twipraland for the tribal and said, “We do not believe separate state will end up all problems of the tribal rather it will give a multiplier effect. We want ADC should function independently and ensure the development in a time bound manner”.
INPT has also viewed the same sentiment stating that demand of separate state is not practical and comprehensive for development of tribals of Tripura.
INPT President Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhwal said, “We are not agreed to separate statehood demand but the party wants implementation of steps to address some genuine issues of tribal and empowerment of ADC, as we have demanded certain actions to safeguard the interest of indigenous people living in ADC areas”.
He added that INPT demands included empowerment of ADC with autonomy; direct funding from the centre, Inner Line Permit for ADC, 50 per cent seats of the assembly to be reserved for tribal and inclusion of Karborok in the eight schedule of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary Bijan Dhar 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.” (UNI)