All major parties in Tripura reject statehood demand by IPFT

IPFT called for blockade of the Assam-Agartala National Highway on June 22 for 24 hours to press for their demand

All the major political parties in Tripura rejected the demand for a separate state,'Twipra land' raised by Indigenous People's Front of Twipra (IPFT), a tribal-based party.

Secretary of the state Committee of ruling CPI-M, Bijan Dhar said, "we oppose this demand because it is divisive, irresponsible and politically motivated. This demand for Twipra Land is aimed at creating a separate state by dividing the small Tripura state, which would increase the sufferings of the people."

The IPFT, in a statement earlier, called for blockade of the Assam-Agartala National Highway on June 22 for 24 hours to press for their demand.

"This demand is aimed at destabilising the communal harmony between tribal and non-tribal communities of the state and against peace and development of the state," the CPI-M leader told reporters here.

The IPFT demanded to carve out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), home to the tribals, who constitute one-third of the state population and occupy two-third of the state territory to form the new state. Mrinal K Deb, spokesman of BJP said, "We are not against the demand of small states, but oppose this demand strongly, because it would create geographical isolation to people. The tribal council area, which they want to convert into a full-fledged state is spread all over the districts of the state, which is not feasible."

However, he said, "we are in favour of giving more autonomy to the tribal council and demand to elevate the council like Boro Territorial Council in Assam. Tripura tribal council was formed under sixth schedule of the constitution."

Chairman of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Committee and former state minister Ratan Chakraborty said his party did not support the demand for a separate 'Twipra land'.

"It would simply divide the state and spoil communal harmony," he told reporters.

The TMC got shot in the arms recently in the wake of six dissident MLAs of the opposition Congress of the total ten having joined the party.

Leader of the dissident Congress MLAs, Sudip Roy Burman wrote a letter to the Speaker of the state assembly, Ramendra Debnath on June 6 last informing him that they joined have TMC.

Ratan Lal Nath, an MLA of opposition Congress said, his party's stand was not to support the demand for separate state.