ProMASS News Bureau: Sep 01, 2016: Sending a stern message to separatists, students of Tribal Students’ Union (TSU) held a rally on Wednesday , Aug 31, 2016 and raised voice in favour of communal harmony and peace. People of Agartala have witnessed unique display of unity that will further foster bond between all sections of people of Tripura.
“Initially we were panic-stricken as we saw large number of people gathered for a rally. It reminded us violence and arson unleashed by unruly IPFT supporters. However, soon we realized it’s a rally of different type. Thousands of tribal students raised slogans in unison for long lasting bond between tribal and non-tribal communities”, said a shopowner at Howkars’ Corner in Agartala.
Notably, there are 19 tribal communities residing in the State. Sources claimed, representatives of all the tribal communities condemned recent mayhem created by IPFT in Agartala and urged people of all sections to maintain peace and harmony. “The rally is a show of ‘Strength in Unity’, all the divisive forces should refrain from attempt to break the unity of peace loving people of Tripura ”, said one of the participants. Mon Kumari Rupini who led a section of rally said, we want to live in peace and in no way supporting violence. We don’t want to go back to the blood strained days of militancy, she said while many other students supported her.
Meanwhile, several programmes were organized all over the State on Wednesday to pay homage to martyrs who were killed by militants. The day was observed as Martyrs’ Day. Kalyanpur is one of the worst affected area of ethnic violence that broke out in 1980s and continued till almost 2004. In Kalyanpur area several leaders who fought for unity between Bengalis and tribal people were mercilessly gunned down by militants. One of them was Tapan Chakraborty. While returning home after holding a rally, Tapan Chakraborty , a Youth Leader of CPI-M were murdered by a gang of militants on Aug 31, 2000. Since then every year, 31st Aug is being observed as Martyrs’ Day. On Wednesday too the day was observed in Kalyanpur as well as other parts of the State with gaiety. Senior Party leaders and common people paid respect to Martyrs. The day was observed as a day to take oath to strengthen bond between different communities of the State.
