BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 2nd March 2024 : In a landmark development, a tripartite agreement was signed today between the central government, the Tripura government and the Tripura People’s Regional Alliance (TIPRA) to address the long-standing issues of the indigenous people of Tripura. The agreement covers various aspects such as land rights, political rights, economic development, language (script) issues and political issues.
The agreement was signed by the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister of Tripura and the former Chairman of TIPRA, Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, in the presence of the Governor of Tripura and other dignitaries. The agreement is seen as a historic step towards ensuring the welfare and empowerment of the indigenous people of Tripura, who constitute about one-third of the state’s population.
Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, who is also the royal scion of the erstwhile princely state of Tripura, expressed his reaction on social media after the signing of the agreement. He said, “Yes, we have signed a historic agreement. We have to work harder. Also, we have to be disciplined. Agreements were signed to implement our demands, land rights, financing rights, language (script) issues, political issues. The Indian government has signed an agreement with a regional party for the first time in history.”
He also said that he will go to Hatai Kotor, earlier known as Baramura on Sunday and break his fast, which he had started on February 28 to press for his demands. He will also meet the people of Janjati, the term used for the indigenous communities of Tripura, and thank them for their support.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for the resolution of the longstanding grievances of the indigenous people of Tripura, who have been demanding greater autonomy, protection of their land and culture, and recognition of their identity. The agreement is also seen as a boost for the TIPRA, which emerged as the largest party in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections held in April last year. The TTAADC is a constitutional body that administers 70% of the state’s territory and 30% of its population.
