Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore to start fast unto death seeking Greater Tipraland state

Pradyot Kishore’s announcement came days after he returned from New Delhi after having discussions with MHA officials over a range of issues including a separate Greater Tipraland state for tribals of Tripura.

"I will not go down without a fight to ensure the rights of the Tiprasa people so that they can hold their heads high. The entire country will also recall that there was a king who sacrificed his life for the cause of his own people", Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said. (X/@PradyotManikya)

Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Saturday said he would fast unto death from February 28 if the demand for Greater Tipraland was not met.

Speaking to reporters in Agartala, Pradyot Kishore said, “I have told the Union government very seriously that unless there is any positive development in the next two to three days, I shall start a fast unto death.”

Pradyot Kishore’s comments came days after he returned from New Delhi after having discussions with MHA officials over a range of issues including a separate Greater Tipraland state for tribals of Tripura, and direct funding for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), among others. Sources said the meeting ended inconclusively.

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On Saturday, Pradyot Kishore said, “My health is not good. If I die, the Centre and the state will be responsible… I am not married and do not have children. My time is gone… nobody will marry me now. My private life is finished. If I can at least save them (tribals), I’ll leave behind a mark.”

He alleged that he waited in New Delhi for 10 days but the discussions failed to yield any solution. “This was an insult… If Delhi does not accept our demands, then I’ll start a hunger strike at Hatai Kotor…” the Tipra Motha leader said.

#WATCH | Agartala: On his hunger strike for the rights of the indigenous people of Tripura, The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) Motha Party chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma Chief says, “I sat in Delhi for 10 days. I did a lot of meetings in the last year…… pic.twitter.com/dwbVfiZorD

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2024

Pradyot Kishore observed that if Ladakh could be carved out of Jammu and Kashmir overnight, then the demand of Greater Tipraland could also be met.

Later in the day, the TIPRA Motha said in a social media post, “#Bubagra Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBarma will be on Fast-Unto-Death from 28th February 2024 (Wednesday) at Hatai Kotor to demand for a permanent constitutional solution for the indigenous people (the Hani Bwsas) of #Tripura.”

Meanwhile, with the Lok Sabha elections drawing near, political parties in the state have started alliance talks.

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The CPI(M) and the Congress – members of the INDIA alliance – have announced they would continue their alliance in Tripura formed before the Assembly elections last year.

Both sides have been trying to rope in the Tipra Motha, although the latter has had alliance talks with the BJP in the past as well.

The Tipra Motha has maintained that it would ally with any party willing to accept its statehood demand.

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Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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