By Firstdespatch Desk Mar 28, 2023
Agartala, Mar 28 (FD) Chairman of TIPRA Motha and royal scion Pradyot Debbarma Tuesday threatened to fast unto death unless the central government appoint a interlocutor for discussion for constitutional solution of the tribals, who constitute one third of the state’s estimated 40 lakh populations in Tripura.
Releasing an audio message for the party activists and his party supporters last evening he said, “My dear Tiprasa people, you have given me love and honor. I am grateful to you. I can go fast unto death but can’t betray you. The Government of India has to listen to us. I am waiting for another day. If something does not happen, I will start my fast unto death. I love all of you. I am under tremendous pressure, but you people should receive something. I am ready to die for you,” his message in Hindi said.
TIPRA Motha, which came into being in 2021 contested the last assembly elections held in February alone as no political party in the state had agreed to give a written assurance of supporting the ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which constitute two third of the state territory and home to tribals.
Motha contested in 42 out of 60 seats in the state assembly and won 13 seats, becoming the second largest party in the state assembly.
However, Motha did not join BJP in government despite a lot of persuasion after the new government took oath of office earlier this month on the same ground that it didn't have any concrete assurance of fulfilling its core agenda.
Five days ago, on March 23, Pradyot received an early morning call from Shah where the latter said an interlocutor would be appointed for talks regarding the Constitutional solution by March 27.
Taking to social media, Pradyot wrote, "Woke up to an early morning call from the hon home minister @AmitShah to enquire about my health. He also categorically assured me that by the 27th of this month an interlocutor will be announced for our talks regarding the constitutional solution for our indigenous people of Tripura”.
A fortnight ago Home Minister Amit Shah met TIPRA Motha party Chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma at Agartala to discuss his demand for a Constitutional solution for tribals of the state.
The royal scion wrote in social media that he had hopes that the Home Minister would understand the sentiments of the Tiprasa (Tripuri tribals) and would honor the commitment of appointing an interlocutor. FD JK