TIPRA Motha leaders meet MHA interlocutor for 'Greater Tipraland'
New Delhi , Jul 27, 2023, Special Correspondent/ TT
New Delhi, July 27: Former Chairman of Tipra Motha Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma met MHA officials here on Thursday to give a fresh push to the demand for Greater Tipraland.
After meeting with MHA officials and interlocutor AK Mishra, Pradyot said the meeting was held in a positive manner and the MHA officials heard their demands patiently.
He claimed that the ruling BJP ally of Indigenous People Front of Tripura (IPFT) has also raised similar demands.
"We have articulated that our demand is very much within the framework of the Constitution of India and for the survival and existence of the Tiprasa community. We have not compromised on the future of the Tiprasa people and I am glad the IPFT also has raised the common demand of Tipraland. If we remain united we will achieve something," he said.
He did not specify the issues discussed in the meeting with MHA officials and its outcome. He, however, said that further discussions will be held at a later date with the MHA officials.
IPFT minister Sukla Charan Noatia told the media that they held a meeting with Mishra with regard to rights of the indigenous people of the state and also the demand for a separate Tipraland."
"Our party (IPFT) from the very beginning has been vouching for the 'Greater Tipraland', as it is our core demand," he added.
He asserted that the meeting was held at length with regard to separate Tipraland and seeking Roman script for Kokborok.
The IPFT also discussed the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019, towards empowerment of the indigenous tribal population of the state.
Debbarma, who headed the delegation, earlier said his commitment to constitutional solution holds true.
"Five months of trolling, abuse, insults end today as we officially meet the HM officials along with other organisations. I pray that the Almighty gives some enlightenment to those who made fun of me in the last few months," he said in a Twitter post.
"I have suffered immensely but my love for our people remains and so does my commitment," Debbarma said.
Earlier on July 1, he had called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to bring a "Constitutional solution" to its demand for "Greater Tipraland".
He had also discussed with Shah and BJP president JP Nadda on this issue after the swearing-in ceremony of the saffron party-led government here in March.
The concept of Greater Tipraland' state has not been specified, though it is supposed to include parts of several other northeastern states and Bangladesh, besides Tripura.
In the party's plenary session held on July 16, Tipra Motha endorsed greater Tipraland as its core demand for a constitutional solution to the problems of indigenous people.
Debbarma, who is a descendant of Tripura's former royal family, formed the Tipra Motha after resigning from the Congress in 2019. The regional party now has 13 MLAs in the 60-member assembly in the BJP-ruled state.