All the major regional parties of Tripura and indigenous wings of the national parties on Sunday observed TTAADC day and statehood demand day to mark the inclusion of TTAADC areas in the sixth schedule of constitution.
Even as Covid19 positive cases are inching towards 9000 mark and death toll breached 70-mark, social distancing norms – irrespective of parties – went for a toss during the TTAADC day in several places.
The major programmes were organized by IPFT, the ruling ally in the present BJP-IPFT government. A series of programmes were organized at Teliamura, Biramgarnj, Kumarghat, Khumulwng, Ampi, Kanchanpur and other IPFT dominated locations of the state.
In Bisramaganj’s Pathaliaghat, a big gathering was organized by the IPFT supporters to mark the statehood demand day.
Chief guest in the programme, IPFT supremo and Revenue Minister NC Debbarma said, “August 23 is Statehood Demand Day for the tribes of Tripura. Today is the 12th Statehood Demand Day.”
“The IPFT is an organization for the survival of the tribes. This organization is for the overall development of the tribes. Every year, the Statehood Demand Day was observed centrally at the ADC headquarters in Khumulung but due to the COVID19 pandemic, this year the program is being carried out separately at the initiative of 23 divisional committees of the state”, he added.
He further added that within two and a half years of the formation of the BJP-IPFT coalition government, Patta on reserved forest areas were being given to the tribal people in various places in the state. Initiatives had been taken to form town committees in ADC areas for the development of the tribes. The number of seats in the Autonomous District Council was being increased from 28 seats to 50 seats. The TTAADC was being turned into a Territorial Council, he added.
A similar programme was held at Tentui Bari village under Ampi Nagar RD block, Gomati Tripura district. IPFT supporters from different places participated in the programme with enthusiasm and raised their voice for their demand for a separate Twipra Land. Programmes were also held at Telimaura and Kumarghat highlighting the same issue.
Apart from IPFT, INPT, the oldest regional political party of the state also organized a small function to mark the ADC day. In the programme, INPT general secretary Jagadish Debbarma said, “We have organized small functions in all the 28 segments of the ADC. On this day we want to once again reiterate our demand of more power to the ADC”.
Congress party also held a small programme at Congress Bhavan. TPCC Chief Pijush Biswas and other party leaders paid floral tributes to the portraits of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her contribution in formation of ADC. In his brief speech, Biswas said, “The Congress always worked hard to promote indegenous culture and make sure that the indegenous population of the state could maintain their socio-economic integrity intact”.
Former CEM and Tripura Upajati Ganamukti Parishad Chief Radha Charan Debbarma, on the other hand said that still there were many things left to do for the indegenous population of the state and hoped that the demand of more power to ADC would see light of the sun one day.
During the observance of the day, several people joined IPFT quitting different parties. At many places traditional cultural programmes like hazagari dances were held to commemorate the Day.
