October 06, 2018: The High-level Committee – recently formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs – to explore social, economic, cultural and linguistic issues of indigenous people of Tripura will ariive in the State and hold meetings with stakeholders on October 9 and October 10 next.
“The 13-member Committee led by Special Secretary of Internal Security, MHA will hold meetings with national and regional political parties and other stakeholders on October 9 and October 10. The Committee will also meet organizations working for welfare of indigenous people of the State on October 10 next”, informed sources said. Interested organizations will have contact the Home department of the State and fix appointment.
The Committee will submit its report to the Union Government after reviewing issues relating tribal communities and certain ‘Term of References’.
The Committee may recommend steps relating to Economic issues like proper utilization of land patta. Under the ambit of Linguistic issues, “The Committee may examine for inclusion of Kokborok, a major tribal language of the State in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and recommend effective steps to be taken for development of all the tribal languages of the State including Kokborok”, mentioned in Term of References.
According to Term of References, the Committee may recommend suitable measures to be taken for preservation, and showcasing tribal arts, crafts, dance, music and indigenous way of life outside the State. Considering that ‘alienation of tribal land is one of the major causes leading to tribal unrest and militancy in the State’, the Committee may examine and recommend measures for effective restoration of the alienated lands to the tribal of the State. Also the Committee may recommend steps relating to Education and Health related issues, strengthening TTAADC.
Ruling BJP’s ally IPFT welcomed the MHA for constituting the High-level Committee, Party and in a recent press meet commented that the move by MHA would eventually help in fulfilling demand for separate State, even though the issue of ‘Tipraland’ did not come under the ambit of the 13-member Committee.
