Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma of TIPRA Motha accuses the state government of failing to act against illegal infiltrators and neglecting the tripartite accord, raising key issues ahead of the crucial TTAADC elections next year.
The issue of illegal infiltration in Tripura resurfaced on Friday as Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma, who represents the TIPRA Motha in the state cabinet, openly questioned the government over its failure to take meaningful steps against illegal migrants.
Speaking to the media, Debbarma alleged that despite repeated demands, there has been “no visible action” taken by the government against infiltrators residing in the state. He also raised concerns over the lack of progress in the deportation of such individuals, stressing that the government must clarify its position on this sensitive matter.
The TIPRA Motha, which is also a ruling partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Tripura government, has long been pressing for stricter action on infiltration. Debbarma pointed out that the cut-off date of March 25, 1971, must remain the basis for identifying infiltrators, a timeline historically linked to migration patterns from across the border during the Bangladesh Liberation War. “We want to know what specific steps the government has taken to identify illegal migrants and push them back based on this cut-off year,” he asserted.
Implementation of the Tripartite Accord
Apart from the infiltration issue, the TIPRA Motha minister reminded the government of its commitment under the tripartite accord signed on March 2, 2023. The accord, signed between the Centre, the Tripura government, and the TIPRA Motha, was designed to address the socio-political and developmental concerns of Tripura’s indigenous people. However, Debbarma claimed that little progress has been made on implementing its provisions.
“The accord was signed to ensure the rights and security of Tripura’s indigenous population, yet we do not see adequate efforts from the government’s side. Both the issues—illegal infiltration and the accord—are directly linked to the interests of the indigenous communities,” Debbarma said.
Assembly Session and Electoral Implications
Debbarma, flanked by other TIPRA Motha MLAs, announced that the party would formally raise these concerns during the ongoing session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly. The timing of these remarks is significant, as the state gears up for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, expected to be held early next year.
Rejecting suggestions that his party’s statements were politically motivated, Debbarma clarified: “We are not performing any drama ahead of the elections. We have every right to ask the government questions that concern our people.”
The TTAADC elections are politically crucial, given that the council holds administrative power over nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s geographical area and is home to the majority of its tribal population. For TIPRA Motha, which has a strong base among indigenous voters, the issues of infiltration and indigenous rights are likely to dominate the campaign narrative.
Previous Engagements and Demands
The TIPRA Motha has been consistent in its stand on infiltration. Over the past few months, the party has staged protests and demanded that all illegal migrants be deported to their countries of origin. The party has also emphasized the need for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, citing fears that the presence of illegal migrants may alter the state’s demographic balance and impact election outcomes.
In July and August, a delegation of TIPRA Motha leaders, led by party supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, met senior national leaders in Delhi, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, BJP President J.P. Nadda, and the Chief Election Commissioner. During these meetings, they pressed for the same SIR procedure in Tripura as is being followed in Bihar.
A Growing Political Flashpoint
The demand for identifying and deporting illegal infiltrators has been one of the central themes of Tripura’s tribal politics for decades. With the TTAADC elections approaching, the issue has once again gained momentum. TIPRA Motha’s sharpened rhetoric places added pressure on its coalition partner, the BJP, to respond decisively to allegations of inaction.
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For now, the questions posed by Animesh Debbarma highlight a deepening tension within the ruling coalition. The coming months will reveal whether the state government can address these concerns meaningfully—or whether infiltration and the implementation of the tripartite accord will become decisive electoral issues in Tripura’s political landscape.
