Agartala, Nov 1 : The Tripura Tribal Customary Law Co-ordination Committee will organise a three-hour sit-in demonstration here on December 7, demanding speedy codification of customary laws governing marriage, inheritance, adoption and other personal and social matters of indigenous communities in the state.
The demonstration will be held from noon to 3 pm near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, adjacent to the Circuit House, committee joint convenor Birendra Tripura said on Sunday.
The decision was taken at a meeting at the Agartala Press Club, attended by community leaders, chieftains and representatives of different tribal groups.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Tripura said 14 customary law bills were unanimously passed during a session of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on December 28, 2022. However, their codification remains pending despite nearly four years having elapsed.
“Out of the 14 bills, the state government returned 10 with observations and suggestions for necessary modifications and rectifications. These bills are currently lying with the TTAADC administration, while the remaining four are under consideration of the state government,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the delay, Tripura urged the state government and the autonomous district council administration to expedite the legislative process.
He said the committee had submitted several representations to both authorities seeking formal enactment of the proposed laws but had not received any concrete response.
The committee had also met Chief Minister Manik Saha and the TTAADC Chief Executive Member separately through deputations and received assurances that their concerns would be addressed soon, he said.
“However, no progress has been noticed yet. We want a speedy solution to the issue,” Tripura added.
He said the December 7 demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of the authorities to the prolonged delay and pressing for concrete action.
The committee also warned that it would launch a broader agitation, including calling a Tripura bandh, if its demands were not addressed following the demonstration.
According to Tripura, only the Jamatia Hoda has so far succeeded in getting its customary law codified.
He said Tripura has 19 indigenous communities, all of which have an equal right to have their personal laws recognised in accordance with traditions and customs followed for generations.
The committee said codification of customary laws was essential to protect the traditional institutions, social practices and cultural identity of the state’s indigenous communities.
