The opposition Tipra Motha Party (TMP) organized a 12-hour bandh (shutdown) in Tripura, demanding the creation of ‘Greater Tipraland,’ which would constitute a separate state for tribal communities. The bandh, which unfolded peacefully with only sporadic incidents reported, gained traction in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) regions.
The TMP, which has been at the forefront of this movement, seeks enhanced autonomy and recognition for the tribal population residing in the TTAADC areas. These areas encompass more than two-thirds of Tripura’s landmass, hosting over 12,16,000 residents, with approximately 84 percent belonging to tribal communities.
While the day witnessed widespread closures, including government offices, educational institutions, financial establishments, shops, markets, and businesses, it did not deter the peaceful nature of the bandh. The only notable incidents were a small crude bomb detonation and stone pelting, resulting in partial damage to a vehicle in the west Tripura district. Fortunately, there were no casualties in these two separate events.
The bandh disrupted the flow of traffic along National Highway-8, a crucial lifeline connecting Tripura to the rest of the country, as well as train services. Many of these transportation routes traverse through the TTAADC areas.
In response to the bandh, the ruling BJP government issued a circular instructing all offices within the TTAADC regions to operate as usual, urging officers and staff to remain present at their workplaces. However, the opposition TMP remains steadfast in its commitment to secure ‘Greater Tipraland’ for tribal communities. TMP leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, currently outside the state, emphasized that the bandh aimed to convey the indigenous people’s growing impatience with the central government’s handling of their constitutional demands and concerns.
Deb Barman clarified, “We are seeking justice for the survival and existence of our indigenous community, and it is not directed against any particular community.” Challenging national parties including the BJP, CPI-M, Congress, and Trinamool Congress, TMP emerged as the principal opposition in the state following the February 16 Assembly polls. It has secured 13 seats in the 60-member state Assembly, making it a significant political force.
The TMP, which assumed control of the politically crucial TTAADC in April 2021, has consistently advocated for elevating the autonomous body’s status by granting it a ‘Greater Tipraland State’ or separate statehood under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. The movement underscores the enduring significance of tribal communities in Tripura’s electoral politics.
