Agartala, Dec 3:
The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), a coalition partner in Tripura’s BJP-led government, announced on Tuesday that it will participate in a major protest organised by the National Federation of New States (NFNS) at Jantar Mantar on December 15. The demonstration aims to press for the creation of Tipraland—a separate state for indigenous communities—and demand the passage of the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019, during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
The decision was finalised at a recent meeting of the IPFT’s Central Executive Committee. Addressing reporters in Agartala, IPFT Vice President Pradip Debbarma said that around 100 party representatives will travel to New Delhi for the protest. Delegations from NFNS units across various northeastern states are also expected to join the agitation, making it a significant show of regional solidarity for statehood and autonomy-related demands.
Debbarma reiterated that the party remains committed to its long-standing demand for upgrading the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) into the Tipra Territorial Council (TTC). He emphasised that this transformation, in accordance with recommendations made earlier by the Tripura Legislative Assembly’s Council of Ministers, can only be achieved through the enactment of the 125th Constitutional Amendment.
IPFT general secretary Swapan Debbarma, also present at the press meet, informed that all divisional committees of the party have been instructed to send three representatives each for the demonstration. To facilitate travel logistics, the selected delegates have been advised to coordinate with the IPFT treasurer and the Youth IPFT treasurer for railway ticket bookings.
The IPFT leadership asserted that the December 15 protest will be crucial in drawing national attention to the aspirations of Tripura’s indigenous population and in pushing for constitutional recognition and enhanced political rights through the proposed amendment.
