A powerful protest! 12 members of Tipra Motha are on a 2,500km footmarch to Delhi

A monumental protest is underway, capturing the attention of the nation as a 12-member delegation from Tripura’s Tipra Motha party embarks on a grueling 2,500-kilometer footmarch. The historic journey, initiated from Agartala on July 5 and set to culminate in Delhi, is a powerful plea for the central government to honor its commitments and address the pressing issues faced by the state’s indigenous population. At the heart of their protest lies a single, burning demand: the immediate and decisive Tripura Accord implementation.

The Genesis of a Movement: Why Tripura Accord Implementation is Crucial

The “Janaganer Andolan” (People’s Movement), as the footmarch is named, is led by Tipra Motha leader and Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Zonal Chairman David Murasing. The march is not just a physical demonstration of resilience but a symbolic walk to remind the government of its unfulfilled promises. The primary issue is the failure to implement the 2024 Tripura Peace Accord, which was signed with much fanfare and was intended to resolve decades-long strife.

• A Betrayed Promise: The accord, signed on September 4, 2024, between the Government of India, the Tripura government, and two former insurgent groups, promised concrete steps to secure the rights of the indigenous people within a six-month timeframe.
• A Year of Inaction: Over a year has passed, and according to Murasing, not a single clause of the agreement has been implemented. This inaction has been labeled a “betrayal of trust” and a “serious lack of political will.”
• The Struggle Continues: The indigenous people of Tripura have fought for decades to preserve their identity and culture. The delay in Tripura Accord implementation has reignited a deep-seated frustration and a sense of being ignored.

A Second, Equally Critical Demand: Combating Illegal Infiltration

Alongside the plea for the Tripura Accord implementation, the footmarchers are highlighting another grave concern: illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. This issue, Murasing argues, is not merely a regional problem but a national security challenge.

• Demographic Threat: The uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants has significantly altered the demographic landscape of Tripura over the past 75 years, threatening the survival of the indigenous population.
• A National Security Crisis: The footmarch leaders assert that this unchecked migration poses a threat not only to the indigenous people but to the stability of the entire Northeast and the nation as a whole.
• Call for Iron-Handed Action: The delegation is demanding that the central government take “iron-handed” measures to curb infiltration and secure the state’s borders effectively.

The Road to Delhi: Gaining Momentum and Support

The 12-member delegation, which includes prominent figures like former Tripura Minister Nevar Kumar Jamatiya and MLA Nandita Debbarma, has been met with growing support as they traverse different states. The journey has become a rallying point for civil society groups and tribal organizations across the Northeast, who share similar concerns about demographic changes and the protection of indigenous rights.

• Blessings from Leadership: The footmarch received the full support and blessings of Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma before it began.
• Widespread Solidarity: The movement is gaining traction, with increasing solidarity reflecting a shared concern over the government’s perceived failure to act.
• A Memorandum for the Centre: The footmarch will culminate at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where the delegation plans to submit a memorandum to the central government, reiterating their demands for the Tripura Accord implementation and decisive anti-infiltration measures.

In a recent development, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma himself met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the accord’s implementation. According to Debbarma, Shah has personally assured him that the government’s commitment to the “Tiprasa” people will be upheld. While this offers a glimmer of hope, the footmarch continues, symbolizing the deep-seated frustration and the urgent need for tangible action on the ground. The people of Tripura are no longer willing to wait; they are walking thousands of kilometers to ensure their voices are heard and their demands for Tripura Accord implementation and protection from infiltration are met.