Agartala: In 2023, the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) made national headlines by passing a resolution to raise its own police battalion.
The decision surprised rival political parties, while a significant section of youth who had backed the ruling Tipra Motha Party ahead of the ADC elections saw the move as a way to generate employment opportunities in the Sixth Schedule areas.
However, the feasibility of this initiative was overlooked, especially given the administration’s existing burden of permanent employees and its shrinking revenue sources. Many observers believe the proposal was politically motivated rather than financially viable.
Two years after the recruitment rules were passed following a ten-day discussion, the state’s lone tribal district council has yet to issue a notification for recruitment. When contacted, TTAADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia stated that the lack of funds has prevented them from proceeding.
Jamatia emphasized that despite the governor of Tripura approving the legislation, the necessary funds have not been allocated. “The TTAADC Police Bill was first introduced in 1994 and, after years of deliberation, was passed in 1997. Following the governor’s assent, it automatically received concurrence from the finance department. The government is now obligated to allocate funds for its implementation,” he said.
He clarified that the Tipra Motha-led TTAADC administration only framed and passed the recruitment rules. “The Bill was passed years ago. We were instructed to frame the recruitment rules, but no previous administration took the initiative. We framed the rules, discussed them in the council session for ten days, and passed them. Now, we are seeking funds for recruitment, but for reasons unknown, the government appears reluctant,” Jamatia added.
When asked about the estimated funds required, Jamatia pointed out that in 1997, the budgetary proposal for recruitment stood at ₹400 crore per annum. “The updated estimate can be calculated accordingly. We have only requested that the funds be released so that the process can begin in phases,” he explained.
He also clarified that the proposed TTAADC police force would be unarmed, meaning they would not be authorized to carry weapons.
Meanwhile, top officials in the Tripura Home Department have raised concerns over the legality of the move. They argue that, under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, self-governing bodies are not empowered to form their own police force. However, they can appoint village guards armed with lathis to maintain local order.
“In this case, using the term ‘police’ appears to be an attempt to mislead people. Even if they are called ‘police,’ they will not have the powers of actual police officers. They cannot carry firearms, make arrests, or produce individuals in court. Their investigative powers remain unclear, as does the source of their police training. Additionally, they will not be permitted to wear caps, belts, or insignia featuring the Ashoka Stambh or other police emblems,” a senior official said.
Questioning the necessity of such a force, the official added, “Tripura Police already has a strong presence across the state, and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel are deployed for law and order duties. Raising a force equipped only with lathis makes little sense.”
BJP Member of District Council (MDC) Bimal Chakma also expressed skepticism about the initiative. He noted that while the TTAADC administration under Tipra Motha has included provisions for recruitment in its recent ₹1,840 crore budget proposal, the document lacks clarity.
“We do not understand what the TTAADC is trying to achieve,” Chakma said. He further pointed out that while BJP is a political ally of Tipra Motha in the state government, BJP MDCs in the TTAADC continue to function as an opposition force.
“We strongly opposed the directionless budget proposals tabled in the council session. Of the total budget, 6% was allocated for pensions and 34% for administration. The ruling party in ADC has not even bothered to provide a department-wise breakdown of fund allocation and revenue sources,” he added.
On why BJP MDCs chose to remain in the opposition despite Tipra Motha being their ally, Chakma explained, “We could have secured two or three Executive Member (EM) posts had we joined the ruling party. However, we chose not to, as the opposition has an important role in a democratic setup.”
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