Asish Saha slams Govt for 'Prioritizing Militants over flood victims,' Demands White Paper

Agartala , Apr 10, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, Asish Kumar Saha, launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing it of failing to prioritize the needs of flood victims while focusing on rehabilitating militants. Speaking at a press conference held at the State Congress Bhawan, Saha criticized the government for its alleged negligence in managing the aftermath of the recent floods that affected nearly 20 lakh people in Tripura.

Saha highlighted that the central government had sanctioned a significant sum of ₹250 crore for the rehabilitation of militants from the banned insurgent groups NLFT and ATTF. However, he questioned the timing of the move, stating that the package was rolled out at a time when the state was grappling with the devastating effects of the floods. "The priority should have been addressing the needs of the people who lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones due to the disaster. Instead, the government chose to focus on militants, showing a clear lack of empathy for the flood victims," he stated.

The floods claimed 37 lives and displaced thousands, leaving many without basic necessities. Saha criticized the "double engine" government for failing to provide sufficient relief or compensation packages for the affected citizens. He also demanded the release of a White Paper detailing the rehabilitation plan for the 584 surrendered militants, including the terms of their surrender, the amount of financial assistance provided, and the specifics surrounding the surrender of arms and ammunition.

In the same press conference, Saha welcomed 39 new members into the Congress fold, including several former TIPRA Motha supporters. A senior TIPRA Motha leader, who was among the new inductees, expressed disappointment with his former party’s decision to ally with the BJP. "I initially joined TIPRA Motha to fight for the rights of indigenous people, but it has now abandoned its principles. To continue the fight against BJP’s neglect of tribal welfare, I am returning to Congress," he said.