IPFT protesters block NH, demand separate state

The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal based party today blocked the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Khamtingbari in Baramura hill range to press for their demand of a separate state.
Superintendent of Police, West Tripura district, Abhijit Saptarshi said around 10,000 protesters blocked the highway from morning to press for their demand, which paralysed vehicular movement.
The blockade would continue till tomorrow morning.
A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed there to avert any untoward incident, Saptarshi said.
IPFT has been demanding a separate state by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) constituting two third of the state's territory.

The tribal council is the home to the tribals who form one third of the 37 lakh population of the state.
Almost all major political parties have rejected the demand on the plea saying it was divisive and geographically impossible because it would divide the entire state.
Earlier the ruling Left Front, the Opposition Congress and Trinamool Congress and the state unit of BJP have also discarded the demand.