Agartala, August 18: TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Deb Barma has questioned the Agartala Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) eviction drive, alleging that poor street vendors are being targeted while larger encroachments, including those on his family’s land in the city, remain unaddressed.
During a visit to Nandanagar on Monday, Deb Barma met women vendors who were recently evicted as part of the civic body’s enforcement drive. He heard their concerns over the loss of livelihood and assured them of support.
Deb Barma said the affected vendors were indigenous women who had been selling vegetables to support their families and earn a livelihood with dignity. He questioned why enforcement action was being taken against economically weaker sections while other alleged encroachments remained untouched.
“Why is action being taken only against the weak, street vendors and poor people?” Deb Barma asked.
He claimed that nearly 60 per cent of his family’s land in Agartala was under illegal occupation and alleged that no comparable action had been taken against those encroachments by the municipal authorities.
The TIPRA Motha founder said civic regulations and enforcement were necessary but stressed that authorities should adopt a humane and people-centric approach, particularly when actions affect the livelihoods of vulnerable sections.
He argued that development and urban regulation should not deprive poor families of their means of survival and called for a balance between enforcement, fairness and compassion.
Expressing solidarity with the affected vendors, Deb Barma announced that the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) administration had provided financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each to those affected by the eviction.
Earlier, Deb Barma addressed a TIPRA Motha meeting at Manikya Court, where he reiterated the party’s commitment to protecting the rights, interests and welfare of indigenous people.
His remarks have brought renewed attention to AMC’s eviction activities and triggered debate over the treatment of street vendors, alleged encroachments and livelihood protection in Agartala.
Deb Barma maintained that authorities must ensure that enforcement measures are applied fairly and should not disproportionately affect economically vulnerable people.
The development has also put the focus on the need to reconcile urban management and civic regulations with livelihood concerns, particularly for street vendors dependent on daily earnings.
