Why ‘historic’ pact may not give Tripura’s tribal communities a new deal

The agreement with Tipra Motha gives BJP an advantage. But there is scepticism whether it can secure the rights of the indigenous people.

Mar 12, 2024 - 03:00

Why ‘historic’ pact may not give Tripura’s tribal communities a new deal

Last week, the Centre signed what it claimed was a “historic” tripartite pact with the Tripura government and the Tipra Motha that aims to “amicably resolve all issues of indigenous people” of the state.

The Tipra Motha, led by erstwhile royal Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debmarma, has long advocated for the cause of Greater Tipraland, an independent state for the tribal communities of Tripura.

Days after signing the pact, the Motha, which is also the largest Opposition party in the state, joined the coalition government in the state led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

While the pact is being seen as handing the Bharatiya Janata Party an advantage ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, observers remained sceptical about how effective the agreement will be in securing the rights of the tribal community, which since Independence has become a minority in Tripura.

The one-page pact signed by the three parties is silent about the demand for Greater Tipraland.

The pact

On March 2, the Centre, the Tripura government and the Tripura Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance or the Tipra Motha “agreed to amicably resolve all issues of indigenous people of Tripura” relating to history, land and political rights, economic development, identity, history, culture and language.

The one-page statement issued by the Union home ministry...