Indian Tribal News Service
New Delhi
The Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA), along with Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), staged a demonstration in New Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday, in support of their demand for ‘Greater Tipraland.’
Tipraland is the name given to the separate state that tribals want carved out from Tripura by constitutional powers.
Hundreds of party members gathered at Jantar Mantar in a show of strength, holding up placards saying, “Indian Govt, save us.”
Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, head of the erstwhile royal house of Tripura and TIPRA chief, tweeted a photograph of the sit-in on Wednesday, saying, “This is the power of Greater Tipraland! Today at Jantar Mantar Flexed biceps.”
TIPRA’s Deb Barman believes a separate state is essential for ensuring the social and economic development of the indigenous people, along with preserving their culture
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh and Shiv Sena’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Priyanka Chaturvedi also attended the event.
TIPRA is a regional tribal-based party while IPFT is a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Deb Barman believes ‘Greater Tipraland’ is essential for ensuring the social and economic development of the indigenous people, along with preserving their culture.
He explained the role of a council for ‘Greater Tipraland’ that would govern tribals of all North East states, along with those from neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh. “We want to resolve the tribals’ basic problems permanently,” Deb Barman said.
“Delhi listen to us! We are here to ask for our constitutional rights! Everyone is welcome to Greater Tipraland,” he tweeted.
The BJP, Congress and other national parties are opposed to this demand, which has also engendered fear in Tripura’s diverse populace.
However, according to a TIPRA spokesperson, the Prime Minister’s Office has indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “has expressed his desire to meet the tribal leaders.” A delegation had earlier been planned to meet home minister Amit Shah.
