Agartala, Feb 26, 2025, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Feb 26: Addressing a press conference held at the state office on Wednesday, Amra Bangali state secretary Gauranga Rudra Pal accused the government of exacerbating extremism in Tripura by continuing a policy of tribal appeasement akin to those of the Left and the Congress.
Rudra Pal highlighted that this indulgence has emboldened extremist groups to escalate their activities, resulting in a series of disruptive events, including blockades of the vital Tripura Life Line.
He said, “On February 25, at the foot of the Baramura hills, a seven-hour blockade severely impacted the people of the state, leading to widespread suffering. The blockade was staged to push for a 21-point demand, and while administrative promises led to a temporary cessation, the extremists have already threatened more substantial movements should their demands remain unmet”.
“The state has not forgotten the harrowing ordeal of the 11-day national highway blockade orchestrated by the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) in 2017. Additionally, the scars of the June 1980 genocide persist, where thousands of Bengali lives were lost, and the notorious Sengkrak Party played a significant role in the anti-Bengali atrocities. Violent organizations like ATTF and NLFT continue to haunt the memories of many, with their history of kidnappings, murders, rapes, arsons, and lootings, ultimately displacing millions of Bengalis from the remote areas of the ADC”, he said.
Rudra Pal further added, “Despite the repeated pleas for justice, the state government has yet to establish a judicial inquiry commission to uncover the culprits behind the 1980 genocide”.
The then Chief Minister of the CPIM party, Nripen Chakraborty, infamously remarked, “If I had been born in a tribal family, I would have also been a radical,” indicating potential complicity with radical groups.
On behalf of the Amra Bangali Party alleged that successive governments have failed to hold extremists accountable.
“Instead, the 1988 Congress-TUJS alliance and the TNV agreement conferred heroic honours and government benefits upon figures like Bijoy Hrangkhawl, further encouraging anti-Bengali extremism.
The current BJP-led government, according to Rudra Pal, is perpetuating the same tribal appeasement policy, leading to the resurgence of extremist activities.
He emphasized the necessity of exploring democratic avenues for achieving demands and warned against the consequences of continued government indulgence in extremist acts.
The press conference saw participation from other leaders of the organization, collectively stressing the urgency for a shift in policy to ensure the state's security and harmony.