Tripura, Feb 27: Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, the chief of the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) Motha Party, declared on Tuesday that a ‘hunger strike unto death’ would commence on February 28 in support of the demand for constitutional solutions to the issues faced by the indigenous people of Tripura.
On Tuesday afternoon, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the former chairman of Tipra Motha and a royal scion, visited the Hathai Kotor, the designated location for the hunger strike demonstration.
Speaking to the media persons, Maharaja Pradyot Manikya Debbarma emphasized that no political flags, including those of his own party, would be permitted during the hunger strike. He urged supporters to participate not as politicians or party workers but as members of the Tiprasa community.
“I want no political flags, not even Tipra Motha’s flag to be put up during our hunger strike. There will only be Tiprasa’s emotions. This is my message to all our followers to come to the strike as Tiprasa and not as a politician or party worker. This is a fight for Tiprasa and not any political party,” stated Debbarma.
He disclosed that he had been in Delhi for the past 10 days, waiting to meet representatives of the central government. Expressing frustration, he mentioned that similar efforts had been made the previous year, with AK Mishra, a representative of the central government, visiting Agartala and engaging with various stakeholders, including Tipra Motha.
Debbarma highlighted the urgency of finding a resolution, stating, “Everyone is saying that it will be done. But when will it be done? We have no choice but to say that it will be done to the poor people but when?” He stressed that until a constitutional solution is reached, the indigenous population in Tripura, constituting 95 percent of the state, will continue facing challenges, particularly regarding land rights.
“Till now, they don’t have their land, not any land patta. All are residing in the forest land, which is government land (Khaas land),” Debbarma lamented.
Announcing an indefinite hunger strike until a “permanent solution is announced,” Debbarma affirmed, “I will fast to death till I get something respectable either from the Congress or from the BJP. Whoever is willing to help us, we will talk to them.” The hunger strike is poised to serve as a pressing call for constitutional measures addressing the concerns of Tripura’s indigenous population.
