Agartala, Feb 3:
Ahead of the crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Tuesday alleged a “systematic conspiracy” to undermine the constitutional powers of the ADC and deprive indigenous communities of their land rights.
Addressing party workers and supporters via a live social media broadcast ahead of the party’s Foundation Day on February 5, Debbarma urged TIPRA Motha cadres to organise awareness programmes in every block and village. He warned that attempts to weaken the Sixth Schedule safeguards threaten the identity and future of the Tiprasa people.
“The ADC was created to protect indigenous rights. If it is weakened, outsiders may encroach upon our lands. Our leaders sacrificed a lot for this, and now there is a clear attempt to dilute these protections,” he said, citing alleged illegal land intrusion in Bishramganj under Sepahijala district. Debbarma promised legal action, stating, “We will go to court because this is illegal. Our land is valuable, and there may be plans to bring in big companies and push our people out.”
Without naming the state government or Chief Minister Manik Saha, he criticised remarks by certain leaders targeting TIPRA Motha, calling it unprecedented hostility even under previous administrations. Debbarma also addressed the language issue, clarifying that the party only seeks optional English/Roman script papers for Class X and XII students to prevent academic disadvantage.
Calling the upcoming ADC elections a decisive battle, he appealed for unity beyond political lines. “Money can come and go, but if land is lost once, it will never return. If our land goes, our politics and our existence will end,” he warned.
Debbarma expressed faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah but cautioned that continued targeting of his party or community could force him to reconsider his political stance. His remarks underline rising tensions between TIPRA Motha and BJP, signalling a high-stakes struggle for control of Tripura’s tribal heartland.
