By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 28, 2026
Agartala, July 28 (FD) A delegation of the Tripura Tribal Customary Law Co-ordination Committee (TTCLCC) on Monday met Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, urging him to facilitate the early codification and implementation of the customary laws of the 19 indigenous tribal communities of the state.
Submitting a memorandum to the Governor, the delegation said the tribal communities of Tripura have traditionally governed their social affairs through customary laws, which enabled them to resolve disputes within the community without resorting to police or judicial intervention.
The memorandum noted that the demand for codification of tribal customary laws has existed since the establishment of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in 1982 and gained further momentum after the Council came under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. However, it pointed out that, apart from the customary law of the Jamatia community, the customary laws of the remaining tribal communities have yet to be formally codified.
Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, the TTCLCC said that on December 28, 2022, the TTAADC had unanimously passed codified customary laws covering 14 tribal communities, including the Tripuri, Reang, Chakma, Garo, Uchoi, Noatia, Murasing, Kaipeng, Rupini, Hrangkhawl, Mog, Mizo and Cheroi communities.
According to the memorandum, the Bill was subsequently forwarded to the State Tribal Welfare Department for obtaining the Governor's assent. However, the process did not move forward, and the Bill was later returned to the TTAADC for rectification of certain anomalies.
The committee alleged that the revised Bill has yet to be finalised and resubmitted to the Tribal Welfare Department, resulting in a prolonged delay in securing the Governor's approval.
Urging the Governor to intervene, the TTCLCC requested him to use his constitutional authority to ensure that the TTAADC completes the necessary revisions and forwards the Bill to the Tribal Welfare Department so that it can be placed before the Governor for assent.
The committee said early implementation of the codified customary laws would help preserve the traditional legal and cultural practices of Tripura's indigenous communities while providing them with a recognised legal framework.
Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu reportedly assured the delegation that he would examine the matter and take appropriate steps at the earliest. FD JK