State Secretary of Tripura unit of CPIM, Jitendra Choudhury, raised  questions over the logic of appointment of an ‘Interlocutor’.  

He also pointed out, Interlocutors are usually appointed to facilitate dialogue with banned or insurgent groups and Choudhury argued that the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) Motha (TMP) is a recognized main Opposition Party in Tripura – then why an Interlocutor was appointed, he asked.

Speaking to the media in Agartala on Sunday, Choudhury said, “An Interlocutor is typically appointed to engage in negotiations with underground insurgent groups or banned organizations. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, albeit unofficially, appointed an Interlocutor to bring the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) overground.”

Choudhury questioned the need for an Interlocutor in this case, emphasizing that TIPRA Motha (TMP) holds the status of a recognized State-party, serves as the main Opposition party, and administers the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). 

He said, “What is the purpose of appointing an Interlocutor in this scenario? I don’t know who invented the idea of Interlocutor. But this appointment undermines the status of the recognized political party – TIPRA Motha.”

He suggested that if TMP and the Central Government were genuinely committed to addressing the issues faced by the tribal people of the state, instead of appointing an Interlocutor, they should arrange meetings with the Home Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, or even the Union Home Minister, along with the relevant stakeholders.

According to Choudhury, the involvement of an Interlocutor merely wastes time, while the party’s supporters grow frustrated and disenchanted. 

He claimed that the tribal population continues to suffer while the TMP leaders are waiting for the Interlocutor.

Choudhury also highlighted other instances, such as the formation of the High-Power Committee, which was agreed upon during the alliance with the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) prior to the 2018 Assembly polls. He commented no one knows about the outcome of its meetings. 

Additionally, he mentioned the pending Bill related to the 125th Amendment, which has been awaiting discussion in Parliament for the past six years.

Choudhury said arrival of an Interlocutor is not an issue, the main point is to understand he functioning and purpose of appointment of the Interlocutor.