AGARTALA, June 9: Fresh unrest in a tribal area of Tripura’s Unakoti district has once again brought attention to the long-pending demand for elections to Village Committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), highlighting growing dissatisfaction at the grassroots despite the BJP and TIPRA Motha projecting political unity at the leadership level.
Residents of Mailong ADC Village under Chandipur Block on Monday locked the village committee office and staged a day-long protest, alleging that development works were being carried out without consulting villagers or informing local leadership. A TIPRA Motha flag was seen attached to the lock placed on the office gate, although protesters claimed the agitation was not politically organised.
The demonstration comes amid continuing demands by TIPRA Motha for Village Committee elections, which have remained overdue for more than five years. The issue has become politically sensitive, with party supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma having approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention.
Villagers alleged that various development projects funded through government schemes were being implemented without Gram Sabha meetings or prior consultation with residents. They accused officials of ignoring repeated complaints, forcing them to resort to protest.
Following the agitation, Deputy Magistrates Mati Ranjan Debbarma and Sanjib Debbarma, Chandipur Block BDO Devapriya Das, along with police and TSR personnel, rushed to the spot to prevent any law-and-order situation.
After several rounds of discussions, the administration reached an agreement with the protesters. Officials assured villagers that all ongoing development works would remain suspended until June 10 and that a Gram Sabha meeting would be convened to discuss proposed and ongoing projects before work resumes.
Local TIPRA Motha leaders Bipul Debbarma and Biresh Debbarma were present during the protest and later briefed the media.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the absence of elected Village Committees in ADC areas and intensified calls for democratic representation and greater transparency in grassroots governance across Tripura’s tribal regions.
