Thousands of Tipra Motha supporters returned to party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma’s fast-unto-death protest site at Hatai Kotor in West Tripura district on Thursday. This happened despite Pradyot Kishore asking his supporters on Wednesday to go back home before he rushed to New Delhi after receiving an invitation for fresh talks from a Union government official. Pradyot Kishore launched his fast-unto-death protest on Wednesday after his previous discussions with the Centre over a range of issues including the demand for a Greater Tipraland state remained inconclusive. He, however, was only 15 minutes into his speech when Tripura Opposition leader Animesh Debbarma received a call and passed the phone to him. The Tipra Motha founder spoke on the phone for a few minutes and eventually told his audience, “I have to go to Delhi. Got a call.” Speaking to indianexpress.com on Thursday, a spokesperson of the tribal party, who did not wish to be named, said that almost 7,000 supporters returned to the protest site to enquire about the status of the agitation and extend moral support to the party leadership. “They went back yesterday (Wednesday) as told but returned this morning. They will go back today (Thursday) as well. Meanwhile, the Tipra Motha youth wing is maintaining the stage as asked by Bubagra (king). Everyone is waiting to see what comes out of the meeting in New Delhi,” he added. The spokesperson said any announcement regarding the progress of the talks would be made by Pradyot Kishore himself. However, he added that the protest has not been called off and Pradyot Kishore would break his fast at the Hatai Kotor protest site if the talks yield positive results. Meanwhile, Pradyot Kishore took to social media on Friday and cited a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “To lose patience is to lose the battle.” “I am trying my best… hold the ground my dear warriors and Tiprasa people,” he added. Animesh Debbarma, Tipra Motha MLA Philip Reang, former MLAs Brishaketu Debbarma, Rajeshwar Debbarma, and some other party leaders also visited the protest venue on Thursday. The heavy security bandobast seen during Pradyot Kishore’s fast-unto-death agitation on Wednesday was scaled down on Thursday, but tight security was still maintained in and around Hatai Kotor.
