Agartala, December 7:
The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), a key ally of the ruling BJP in the state, has postponed its planned participation in the National Federation of New States’ sit-in demonstration scheduled for December 15 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was intended to press for the creation of Tipraland (a separate state) and demand the passage of the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019.
Announcing the decision at a press conference on Sunday, IPFT vice president Pradip Debbarman said that ongoing disruptions in flight and train services across the country had compelled the party to delay its programme. “Due to the ongoing crisis of flight and train services, we had to postpone our sit-in demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. We are now planning to reschedule it for February or March next year,” Debbarman stated.
He added that the party initially planned to mobilise around 100 participants from Tripura, but the response exceeded expectations, with the number of willing attendees rising to 227. “We will arrange travel tickets for all participants and ensure their safe and smooth journey to Jantar Mantar when the programme is rescheduled,” he assured.
At the postponed demonstration, IPFT intends to renew its long-standing demand for elevating the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to the Tipra Territorial Council (TTC). The demand aligns with the recommendation previously endorsed by the Tripura Legislative Assembly’s Council of Ministers. The party argues that this elevation, through the passage of the 125th Constitutional Amendment, would grant enhanced autonomy and administrative powers to tribal-dominated regions of the state.
The IPFT leadership said that despite the postponement, the movement for Tipraland and greater constitutional recognition would continue with full strength in the coming months.
