IPFT observes Separate Statehood Day in Tripura, reaffirming its demand for Tipraland and greater constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities under Articles 2 and 3.
The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), an ally of the ruling BJP, on Sunday observed its Separate Statehood Demand Day in Agartala and vowed to continue its movement for the creation of a separate state for Tripura’s indigenous communities until the demand receives constitutional recognition.
The IPFT organised a rally as part of its annual programme initiated by the party’s late founding president, NC Debbarma. The rally began near the North Gate area of Agartala and passed through several parts of the city before reaching Mara Chowmuhani, where party leaders addressed a public meeting.
Speaking at the gathering, IPFT leaders reiterated their long-standing demand for the creation of Tipraland, maintaining that a separate state is necessary to protect the rights, interests and identity of Tripura’s indigenous communities. The leaders also emphasised the importance of constitutional safeguards and the Sixth Schedule in protecting the rights of indigenous people.
The programme combined the observance of Sixth Schedule Day with the party’s political demand for a separate state. Party leaders said the movement would continue through democratic and constitutional means, with greater protection for indigenous communities remaining one of the central objectives.
IPFT president Prem Kumar Reang and Tripura minister and party leader Shukla Charan Noatia were among those who attended the programme. A large number of party leaders, workers and supporters participated in the rally and subsequent public meeting.
Speaking to media persons, Noatia said the formation of a separate state covering the entire geographical area currently under Sixth Schedule protection remained the party’s ideological demand. He recalled that NC Debbarma had declared August 23, which also marks the TTAADC Day, as the Separate State Demand Day for the IPFT.
According to Noatia, the party has continued to observe the day through political programmes since its inception, including protests, demonstrations and rallies in Agartala, district headquarters and even New Delhi.
He said the IPFT would continue raising the demand until it was fulfilled, asserting that the movement was based on constitutional provisions and democratic rights.
Noatia also clarified that the statehood movement had no connection with the IPFT’s coalition politics. He maintained that the party had the right to organise democratic protests and raise demands that were constitutional in nature.
The IPFT’s renewed assertion comes amid its continued emphasis on greater constitutional protection for Tripura’s indigenous population. The party has consistently linked its separate-state demand with the protection of land, identity, political rights and cultural interests of indigenous communities.
As part of Sunday’s programme, an IPFT delegation also visited Lok Bhavan and submitted a memorandum outlining the party’s demands. The delegation urged the authorities to consider its concerns and take steps towards addressing the issues raised by the party.
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The Separate Statehood Demand Day programme thus served as both an annual political observance and a renewed declaration of the IPFT’s commitment to its Tipraland demand. Party leaders said they would continue their democratic movement across Tripura and beyond until the demand gains the constitutional validation they are seeking.
