Normal traffic was paralysed in NH-44, the only National Highway that connects Tripura with the rest of India, following a blockade by Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) on Wednesday. The IPFT called the daylong stir to press the demand for a separate homeland for the State’s minority tribal population.
Supporters of the regional party also blocked railway tracks preventing movement of goods trains running between Agartala and Silchar. No major incident was reported from anywhere in the State.
Massive security deployment was in place to maintain peace as hundreds of IPFT supporters were squatting on the national highway (No.44) at different locations. Party President Narendra Chandra Debbarma and all senior functionaries led them.
CPI(M) and its main tribal constituent Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) carried a weeklong statewide hectic campaign against highway blockade stir for a separate state called ‘Twipraland’. They termed the demand highly provocative and attempt to create ethnic divide in the peaceful State.
However CPI(M) and GMP cadres stayed away from countering the agitation on Wednesday. IPFT alleged ruling party unsuccessfully made attempts to thwart agitation.
“We have received huge spontaneous response from our people to make the campaigning successful”, IPFT President Narendra Chandra Debbarma told The Hindu over phone from Boromura hills where he is squatting on the highway. He said they will continue to protest till separate State demand is achieved.
IG (Law & Order) Anurag supervised security measures at some points of the Highway. Tripura State Rifles (TSR), CRPF and Armed Police were deployed in strength amid fear of untoward incidents.
Senior IPFT leader and former MLA Rajeswar Debbarma claimed 20,000 IPFT supporters joined movement. He said the agitation would continue even in night.
The IPFT demands separate State for the 33 per cent tribal population with areas under the tribal autonomous district council. The council under reference of 6th schedule of constitution was created with three fourth geographical areas of the state and one third population mostly tribal.
The party, which is opposed by major political parties for aggressive demands had earlier enforced general strike in tribal council areas on December 16 last year to push the demand.
