Tipra Motha Party in Mandai issues a 12-hour ultimatum for the release of YTF activist Jitu Debbarma, threatening a strike. Party leaders allege politically motivated police action while BJP blames Tipra Motha for a recent office arson incident.
Tensions escalated in Mandai Rural Development Block on Thursday as the Tipra Motha Party threatened to call a complete strike if their demand for the release of Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) activist Jitu Debbarma was not met within 12 hours. The party staged a protest march and led a mass deputation to the local police station, demanding immediate release of the activist, whom they allege has become a victim of politically motivated police action.
Chairman of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), Jagadish Debbarma, expressed the party’s frustration and warned of stronger measures if the demands were not addressed. “We seek apologies from the bottom of our hearts. We have no intentions to disrupt the festivities of the state but if our innocent activist, who has become a victim of the biased investigation of the police, is not released without any condition, we shall be compelled to call a strike,” he stated emphatically.
The arrest of Jitu Debbarma has stirred political controversies in the region. The activist was taken into custody following a case registered by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The case relates to an arson attack on the local BJP office in Mandai on the night of September 22, coinciding with the inauguration of the renovated Maa Tripura Sundari temple in Udaipur by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the incident, banners displaying life-size pictures of the Prime Minister were also set ablaze.
According to BJP leaders, Tipra Motha activists were involved in the attack, leading to the filing of an FIR that eventually resulted in Jitu Debbarma’s arrest. The ruling party has publicly held Tipra Motha workers accountable, further intensifying the political standoff in Mandai.
However, Tipra Motha has categorically denied any involvement of their members in the incident. Jagadish Debbarma rejected the BJP allegations, stating, “So far we know, the arson in the BJP party office was a fallout of their internecine squabbling. Our workers have nothing to do with that. Jitu Debbarma is an innocent youngster and an active worker of the YTF. He has fallen victim to politically motivated police proceedings.”
The ongoing dispute has drawn the attention of other senior Tipra Motha leaders. Local MLA Swapna Debbarma, along with YTF leader Lemon Debbarma and other senior functionaries, joined the mass deputation at the Mandai police station. Their primary demand was the neutral treatment of their activist by the police.
Jagadish Debbarma urged law enforcement agencies to act impartially, emphasizing the importance of fairness in politically sensitive cases. “Police should not play into the hands of a political party. It should act neutrally and treat everyone equally,” he said.
The Tipra Motha Party’s ultimatum has added to the charged political environment in Tripura, which is already witnessing heightened tensions following the temple inauguration and related political disputes. The 12-hour deadline issued by the party is set to expire soon, and the authorities’ response will likely determine whether the situation escalates into a wider strike or is resolved peacefully.
Observers note that the incident reflects the increasing polarization in local politics, with youth activists often becoming focal points of political confrontations. While Tipra Motha has maintained that their campaign is peaceful and focused on protecting their workers, the BJP has continued to press charges and maintain a strong law-and-order stance.
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As Mandai prepares for potential unrest, the community and political stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, hoping for a resolution that avoids disruption of public life. The coming hours will be crucial in determining whether dialogue or confrontation defines the next phase of this ongoing political dispute.
