Tripura: BJP ally IPFT to start indefinite sit-in demonstration against CAA

The movement of ruling ally against CAA is viewed as a significant move ahead of crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) election to garner the support of tribal voters. IPFT has decided to fight the ADC polls alone if BJP does not leave at least 20 seats in 28 members’ council for it.

Besides IPFT, all other tribal-based parties including major opposition CPI (M) and Congress have also been opposing CAA. These parties are also demanding direct funding for ADC from the Centre, full administrative autonomy in letter and spirit and elevation of the status of ADC like Bodo Territorial Council (BTC).

The IPFT leadership alleged that the Central government had announced to delegate more power to ADC including the approval of the amendment of Article 280 and schedule VI of the Constitution to empower ten ADCs of Tripura, Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya last year, but so far there has been no significant development yet in real terms. Moreover, the Centre passed CAA to shelter illegal migrants from neighbouring three countries, which would affect indigenous life and culture.

The party’s movement committee convener Shukla Charan Noatia told media that IPFT President and Revenue Minister N C Debbarma and General Secretary and Tribal Welfare Minister Mevar Kr Jamatia would take part in the demonstration tomorrow at Dukmali Hati in ADC headquarters Khumlung tomorrow morning and to address the protestors.

Subsequently, the demonstration on a daily basis would continue in two more locations to press for the demands. The volunteers from all 33 party wings would take part in the demonstration and it would be continued till the demands are heard and addressed, Noatia stated.

He feared CAA would further increase the number of infiltrators in Tripura, which would subsequently mount pressure on limited opportunities and resources of the state. Additionally, creation of full-fledged separate state Tipraland in VI scheduled areas of the state, exemption of the CAA in Tripura, introduction of NRC all over India, he added.

“Apart from VI scheduled areas, Tripura has 3000 sq kilometres area of the state where the indigenous population is dominant. We can’t only think of the ADC, the entire state needs to be kept out of CAA purview,” Noatia said, adding that IPFT wanted to ensure peaceful co-existence of people belonging to all communities but CAA would disturb it.

He further added the tribal parties of Tripura have been demanding suitable amendments for more financial and administrative powers for the betterment of the people living in ADC areas of Northeast. About 68 per cent of the total geographical area of Tripura has fallen under VI schedule that spread over almost all eight districts of the state.

Under the proposed amendment of the Central government, Finance Commission would now be specifically mandated to recommend devolution of financial resources to the ADCs as well as the village and urban local bodies of the VI schedule area and it will enable the tribal population of the region to fulfil their longstanding aspirations, said BJP leaders.