Resentment is brewing among the permanent residents of Tripura’s picturesque tourist spot, Narkel Kunja. Local people, even threatened to block roads leading to Narkel Kunja preventing tourists to enter into the spot if they demands remain unattended.
Recently inaugurated Log Huts at Narkel Kunja are at the centre of resentment, said the agitating people.
A seven-member delegation under the banner of ‘Narkel Kunja Paryatan Kendra Suraksha Committee’ submitted a deputation to SDM of Gandachhera Arindam Das on Thursday.
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The delegates demanded that all the responsibilities pertaining to the maintenance of Narkel Kunja should be given to the permanent residents of the area – not to the people of other parts of the State.
Prior to deputation submission, hundreds of local people held a rally in Gandachhera in support of their demand.
One of the members of the Suraksha Committee, Ratan Bikas Chakma told the media, “Our forefathers started living in Narkel Kunja area a long time ago and for past 4-5 years, we, the local people, with the permission of the State government started developing Narkel Kunja through the Narkel Kunja Paryatan Kendra Suraksha Committee. Several facilities were introduced with assistance from the State government and we were looking after the facilities and the spot”.
Ratan Bikas Chakma further said, “The Committee is looking after the maintenance and development works of Narkel Kunj for the last three years. Recently log huts were built here. However, an outsider – a contractor from Agartala – was entrusted with the responsibility of the Log houses depriving the Suraksha Committee”.
People of several communities live here – we have no objection if local people of any of the communities are given the responsibility of Narkel Kunja, said Ratan Chakma.
After submitting the deputation, the members of the Suraksha Committee expressed hope that their demand would be met.
However, Chakma also said, “If our demand is not fulfilled, we will go for staging blockades on roads leading to Narkel Kunja and will not allow entry of anyone including tourists to the spot.”
