Tripura tribal party to block state's lifeline on Feb 28 over 'Greater Tipraland' demand

The Tipra Motha Party (TMP) of Tripura has announced plans to block National Highway 8 on February 28 to protest against the Central government’s delays in addressing indigenous population concerns. TMP demands ‘Greater Tipraland’ and may resort to hunger strikes if their demands are not met soon.

TMP President, Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, stated that the blockade on National Highway 8 will commence on February 28. Former royal scion and TMP supremo, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, might also start a hunger strike on the same day to push for their demands.

Deb Barman traveled to Delhi urgently to hold discussions with Central government officials regarding TMP’s demands. He expressed willingness to sacrifice for the tribals’ economic and constitutional issues and accused the Centre of denying tribal constitutional rights.

The TMP gained power in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in April 2021 and has been actively campaigning for their ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand. The ruling BJP and opposition parties have opposed this demand, intensifying political tensions in the region.

Political analysts noted that both TMP and IPFT are leveraging tribal-centric demands to garner tribal votes, even though the likelihood of such demands being met is slim. In the last year’s polls, TMP emerged as the second-largest party, emphasizing their goal of establishing a ‘Greater Tipraland State.’

The TTAADC, with jurisdiction over two-thirds of Tripura’s area and a significant tribal population, remains a crucial entity in the state’s political landscape. The ongoing standoff between TMP and the Central government underscores the deep-seated tensions surrounding tribal rights and demands.