Demand for ‘Greater Tipra Land’ or ‘Tipra Land’ is absurd and unrealistic. Some people are raising the demand which will fuel divisive politics and create enmity between the tribal and non-tribal people, commented Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) president of Tripura unit Jitendra Chowdhury.    

“Considering the geographical location of Tripura and socio-economic structure, the Greater Tipra Land or Tipra Land demand is not a realistic demand. Some are talking relating the demand to the Constitutional solution, but in reality, GMP’s demand for empowerment and direct funding to TTAADC is a constitutional solution. Ours is the policy to unite people of all communities of the State”, Chowdhury said while speaking at a massive rally of indigenous people in Agartala on Saturday.

The rally assumed significance because it was held at a time when there were growing clashes between the ruling BJP party and the TIPRA Motha in the hills ahead of the by-elections and 2023 general assembly elections.

In fact, three ruling BJP leaders including an MP, Minister and one the State vice presidents of the party were attacked recently by alleged Tipra Motha supporters.

In view of the present political situation, a large number of indigenous tribes from the ADC areas under the banner of the CPM’s frontal organizations – Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) and Tripura Youth Federation (TYF) – walked on a rally for the Raj Bhawan Abhiyan at Agartala and pressed for 11-point charter of demands.

Leader of opposition Manik Sarkar, GMP president and also the CPM state secretary Jitendra Chowdhury, former Chief Executive Members of ADC Radha Charan Debbarma, Ranjit Debbarma and former minister Naresh Jamatia led the rally of the indigenous people and met in deputation with the Governor of Tripura Satyadeo Narain Arya before addressing the gathering at Agartala Circuit House.

The demands of the GMP and the TYF include earliest passage of 125th amendment to the Constitution in the Parliament for empowerment of ADC, enactment of an act to include Kok-Borok language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India, to stop discrimination against the TTAADC and release of all funds due with the TTAADC, to stop looting public fund and hold the election of village committee in the TTAAC at the earliest including others.

Addressing the gathering leader of opposition Manik Sarkar accused the TIPRA Motha of playing divisive politics. Sarkar alleged, the TIPRA Motha regional party formed newly in the ADC is trying to divide the tribals and the non-tribals and is instigating violence across the state. He appealed to the people of the state and especially the indigenous tribes not fall prey or to be misguided with the instigation of TIPRA Motha leaders.

Sarkar also came down heavily on the ruling BJP party and claimed that the mass gathering of the indigenous tribes on Saturday had probed their anger and frustration with the BJP. “The indigenous tribes along with other sections of people of this state are reeling under acute crisis of work and food,” Sarkar alleged.

Sarkar also alleged of misappropriation of funds under the centrally sponsored MGNREGA scheme.