Pu B K Hrangkhawl, INPT leaders meet Manmohan

New Delhi, October 24, 2009: A six members INPT delegation met the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on 22nd Oct at his resident for nearly an hour to seek a political solution to their charter of demands. The meeting was led by Mr. Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl & Veteran Party leader Shyama Charan Tripura. The much awaited meeting was to submit their long standing five charters of demands before the Union Government of India.

During their brief meeting with Prime Minister, the visiting members of INPT also submitted a memorandum. Mr. Hrangkhawl urged upon the Union Govt. to take firm step and an effort to look into their demands.

During their visit to the capital, Dr. Manmohan Singh assured the visiting delegation members that the centre is ready to give more power to TTAADC and will see the future course of action in the coming days.

Mr. Rajeshwar Debbarma Said, "the meeting was very cordial and Pleasant". "The Prime Minister assured us that he will take all possible measure and steps to see that a political solution is met and achieved at the appropriate time", he added.

The delegation members also met Home Minister P. Chidambram, on 23rd Oct evening to discuss their charters of demands. During their interaction with home minister, Mr.Jagadish Debbarma, one of the visiting members of the delegation said, Mr. Home Minister also expresses the need of Regional Party; it's necessary and important for the sake of the indigenous people in the state. Mr. Chidambram also expresses that the left government is reluctant to share and give more power to the TTAADC Government, he added.

According to INPT leaders, the Home Minister also advice the visiting members to forward a copy of resolution which was passed in the floor of the house in Tripura Legislative Assembly on 7th April, 2006.

Mr. Kantilal Bhuria, Tribal Affairs Minister, also assured the members that a high level official team will be sent to inquire about the Indigenous People of Tripura, especially on the issue of Forest Rights Act. The six members also held a round of brainstorming talk with Mr. G K Pillai, Indian Home Secretary and Mr. V Narayanasamy, General Secretary, AICC and also In-charge of Tripura. Mr. Narayanasamy assured that he will talk to Prime Minister on the issue of INPT demands.

The following five charters of demands that were submitted to the various ministries by INPT delegation members during their visits to capital,

1. More Power to the TTAADC in the line of Bodo Territorial Council,
2. To enlist KOKBOROK language in the Eight Scheduled of the Indian Constitution,
3. Detection and deportation of illegal foreign nationals must be strict conformity of Indira Mujib accord with the specific cut off date on 25th of march, 1971(Population explosion due to illegal infiltration of foreign nationals in Tripura state is undoubtedly one of the prime contributory factors behind the unrest and outbreak of insurgency in the state),
4. Immediate revoke of Armed Forces Special Power Act-1958 from Tripura,
5. To debar Other (Non-Tribal) traditional forest dwellers from the principle of Forest Act 2006.

Will the INPT demands open a new avenue for the indigenous people of Tripura or are they trying to buy time, are remaining to be seen in days to come.

Source: Tiprasa