TIPRA Motha submits memorandum seeking urgent implementation of Tiprasa Accord, ADC village committee polls

The memorandum, addressed to Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, pointed out that the delay in conducting the ADC village committee polls has obstructed developmental projects in rural tribal areas.

TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma. (Photo: X/ @PradyotManikya)

In a crucial show of strength ahead of the Tripura ADC village committee elections expected to be held soon, ruling alliance partner TIPRA Motha party on Thursday submitted copies of a memorandum at all Block Development Offices (BDOs) in the state, listing three major demands including immediate implementation of the tripartite Tiprasa Accord.

According to the Tiprasa Accord signed on March 4 this year, the Centre, Tripura government and the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA Motha), agreed to “amicably resolve” all issues of the state’s indigenous people relating to history, land rights, political rights, economic development, identity, culture, language, etc. Eight months since, the party has now sought immediate implementation of the accord, conduct of the village committee elections and urgent passing of the 125th Amendment to the Indian Constitution in Parliament.

The memorandum, addressed to Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, was submitted through the BDOs in all blocks across the state. “The delay in conducting these elections has hindered democratic participation and obstructed developmental projects in rural tribal areas. It is imperative for the Governor to ensure that these elections are conducted promptly to restore effective local administration,” it read.

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Members of the TIPRA Motha party, along with sister organisations like the Youth TIPRA Federation (YTF), TIPRA Women Federation (TWF), TIPRA Indigenous Students Federation (TISF), TIPRA Citizens Federation (TCF), and the party’s minority cell participated in the statewide mass deputation and memorandum submission.

The 125th Amendment of the Constitution, among other things, is expected to allow direct funding for the tribal council from the central government without having to route the funds through the state government. TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has alleged that the state government did not provide adequate funds to the ADC.

Also Read | Tipra Motha to submit memorandum in govt offices across Tripura on Nov 14, press for pending demands

Elections to the 587 Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) village committees were supposed to be held on March 7, 2021 but got postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In July 2022, the High Court of Tripura issued an order saying that it expected the State Election Commission and the state machinery to notify the dates of polling at the earliest and complete the entire process, including declaration of results within the first week of November that year. After the deadline expired, TIPRA Motha, which is the prime Opposition in the state Assembly, moved the high court again in April last year.

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Sources said the village committee polls are likely to be held soon, though no schedule has been announced yet.