24-hour strike demanding implementation of Tiprasa Accord underway in Tripura

Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council’s (TTAADC) Runiel Debbarma and others protested at Lembucherra, where they blocked National Highway 108 (B), which connects Agartala with Khowai district, by burning tyres in the middle of the road.

“The strike has been going on since morning peacefully, in a disciplined manner, and people have fully supported the strike. We demand identification and deportation of illegal immigrants and implementation of the Tiprasa Accord. The central government wants to deport illegal immigrants to their country of origin,” Runiel Debbarma said.

While the strike elicited a mixed response in cities, there was relatively less vehicle movement and business activity in many villages, especially in the TTAADC areas and areas with mixed habitation.

Strike meant to attract attention: CM Saha
Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday that the strike was meant to attract media attention and that “such tactics” would not stall development works, adding that the Government had already mandated its employees to work on Thursday.

A day before the strike, at least six vehicles were damaged and several BJP activists who were on their way to a programme at Takarjala in Sepahijala were injured in a clash near Khumulwng, headquarters of the TTAADC.

Saha condemned the incident. “We want to get rid of this. Everyone has the right to do politics, but those rights should not be used to exert muscle power. We believe in democracy. The BJP, be it at the Centre or in the state, is working for people,” he said.

State BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya said a police complaint was being filed over the incident. He further said that if anyone was trying to intimidate BJP activists, they would be reduced to oblivion since the people would reject the culture of violence.

Earlier, on September 21, BJP tribal leader Mangal Debbarma was injured in an incident of clash between the BJP and TIPRA Motha, its ally, in the Hezamara area of West Tripura district.

The BJP and Tipra Motha, partners since the 2023 Assembly elections, appear to have hit a rough patch.

In August, BJP supporters were attacked in Asharambari of Khowai district. Days later, a BJP worker was assaulted in Sepahijala district, prompting Saha to publicly blame Tipra Motha for the “violent and undemocratic attack”. He warned that such acts would not be tolerated and asked police to act strictly against perpetrators.

Tipra Motha, floated in 2021 by former royal Pradyot Kishore Debbarma with the demand for a Greater Tipraland, swept the TTAADC polls two months after its inception and two years later, became the second largest party in the Assembly.

Despite campaigning against the BJP, it joined the ruling alliance after a tripartite agreement was signed with the Centre and the Tripura Government, promising an “amicable solution” to socio-economic, cultural, and land issues of tribals.

However, relations have remained uneasy. In July, citing the slow progress of the 18-month accord, Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma said his party was “almost ready to withdraw support from the Government. Though the statement was withdrawn within hours after Pradyot intervened, he acknowledged “genuine frustration” among tribals.

Both parties also accused each other of poaching workers. The BJP claims several Tipra Motha cadres have joined its ranks since March, while the latter has gained panchayat and mandal-level leaders from the BJP in West Tripura.

Other parties criticise the strike
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman said the strike was an attempt to fool the indigenous people/ “This strike is against the Central Government. You will stay in the Government, enjoy all benefits, and will call a strike against the Government. This is a double standard. I feel that the bandh was called to let down a mukhiya of the government and to save the face of Union Home Minister Amit Shah”.

Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury of the CPM said, “Their distance with Tripura people is increasing rapidly. The main problem is deterioration of law and order, poor economy, unemployment. People in both hills and plain lands are dissatisfied with them. So, such drama is required to be performed.”

BJP leader and former Lok Sabha MP Rebati Tripura said, “The TIPRA Motha has been in power in TTAADC for years, but no development is seen despite receiving huge funds allocated both by the central and state governments. BJP maintains good relations with its allies . Despite having a majority, the BJP formed an alliance with the TIPRA Motha party for cooperation and stability. If they want strict action against illegal migrants, they should directly raise the matter with the CM and not be involved in bandh politics”.