Ahead of TIPRA Motha’s strike, Tripura govt tightens security, mandates staff attendance

In an order issued Friday, P Das, under secretary at the general administration department, said it was imperative that all offices, government undertakings and state government organisations in the TTAADC should function normally and all government employees and employees of all such undertakings and organisations should perform their duties as usual on the day of the 12-hour strike.

The order also said that any violation of the instructions “will be viewed seriously”.

Motha has been in charge of the TTAADC administration since it swept the 2021 polls to the council, just two months after the party was floated.

While the ruling BJP has opposed the demand for a separate tribal state, the party-led central government is engaged in talks with Motha and several other stakeholders from Tripuri tribal communities to work out a solution to the claims of ethnic deprivation and the calls for a separate state.

A report on staff attendance in all government offices, undertakings and organisations on the day of the strike has to be sent to the general administration department by 12 pm, the order stated. And the police chief was asked to make proper law and order arrangements on all government premises in the TTAADC areas and to take all precautionary measures.

The strike has been opposed by the CPM, which was the main Opposition party till February, when the Assembly polls were held. The Left party has called the strike an attempt to divert public attention from “genuine” concerns like law and order and employment.