Agartala-based Tiprasa Civil Society (TCS) led by TIPRA Motha legislator Ranjit Debbarma on Thursday started a 24-hour strike across the state demanding the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord and strong measures to detect illegal migrants.
The organisation has staged picketing at different locations in the state, majority of which were in Dhalai district. However, the situation is peaceful and no untoward incident has been reported till the time of filing this report.
A police officer, on condition of anonymity, stated that picketers were seen at 36 different locations with 10 in Dhalai district, seven in West Tripura and Gomati districts each, three each at Sepahijala and Khowai districts, and one in Unakoti district.
Protests were staged in different parts of the state, including Agartala, Lembucherra, Khumulwng, etc.
Tripura Autonomous Development Council (ADC) member Runiel Debbarma was seen staging protest at Lembucherra where protesters had blocked the busy National Highway 108 (B), connecting Agartala in West Tripura and the Khowai district by burning tyres and setting up blockades in the middle of the road.
“The strike has been going on since morning peacefully, in a disciplined manner and people have fully supported the strike. We demand identification and deportation of illegal immigrants and implementation of the Tiprasa Accord. The Central Government wants to deport illegal immigrants to their country of origin as well,” Runiel Debbarma said.
Picketing was done at 45 locations in different districts of the state since Thursday morning. While mixed response was seen in the cities, there was relatively less vehicle movement and shop activities in many villages today, especially in the TTAADC areas and areas with mixed habitation.
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Opposing the strike, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday termed it to be a way to attract media attention and said development works ushered in by his government can’t be stalled with such tactics.
The state already mandated its employees to attend their duties, he had warned.
The BJP and Tipra Motha, partners since the 2023 Assembly elections, appear to have hit a rough patch.
Violence in Tripura day before 24-hour bandh: BJP workers injured, 6 vehicles damaged
In August this year, BJP supporters were attacked in Asharambari of Khowai district, while listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann ki Baat.
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Days later, a BJP worker was assaulted in Sepahijala district, prompting Chief Minister Manik Saha to publicly blame the Tipra Motha for the “violent and undemocratic attack”.
Tipra Motha, floated in 2021 by former royal Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma with the demand for a “Greater Tipraland”, swept the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls two months after its inception.
Despite campaigning against the BJP, it joined the ruling alliance after a tripartite agreement was signed with the Centre and state government promising an “amicable solution” to socio-economic, cultural and land issues of tribals.
However, relations have remained uneasy.
The Tiprasa Accord was signed between the Centre, Tripura government of Tripura and the Tipra Motha party last year.
