Congress holds fasts in Triputa on Dalits issue

The opposition Congress in Tripura today organized fasts in different parts of the state as part of the partys nationwide agitation against atrocities on Dalits and tribals.

A fasting-protest beginning from 11 am in front of Pradesh Congress Bhawan here continued till 3 pm in the afternoon.

Pradesh Congress president Birajit Sinha, joined a similar protest organized at his home constituency at Kailashahar in Unakoti district, about 180 Km from here.

In his address, veteran congress leader Gopal Chandra Roy called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a cheat and claimed he played with emotions of the country for four years.

Referring to the deaths of nine tribal and Dalit people who were killed in police firing during Bharat Bandh on April 2, Congress Vice-President Tapas De said the Centres facade of sympathy for indigenous and backward communities was exposed in the incident.

Party President Sinha in his address at Kailashahar alleged that the central governments sympathy towards the Dalits was fake as they denied their legitimate rights.

He said the Congress was the only true alternative for development and progress of all communities in the country.

In Tripuras 60-member Assembly, 20 seats are reserved for tribals and 10 seats for scheduled castes.

BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Debm however, denied the charges.

Congress was always against the interests of the Dalits and adivasis. We would not have to learn from Congress about their welfare, he said.