Agartala: The Tipra Motha Party, an ally in the BJP-led ruling coalition in Tripura, conducted widespread deputations across 45 rural development blocks on Thursday to advocate for three key demands.
The party submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor of Tripura through Block Development Officers, urging the prompt implementation of the Tiprasa Accord, the holding of Village Committee (VC) elections, and the passage of the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament.
Highlighting the need for the Governor’s intervention in the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord, the party’s memorandum stated: “The first meeting of the Joint Working Group/Committee—formed to monitor the implementation of the accord—was convened on September 20, 2024, in New Delhi. While initial steps have been taken, we respectfully seek your intervention to accelerate the overall process and ensure that commitments made to the indigenous communities are honored promptly. This will help deliver the intended benefits to the deserving communities without unnecessary delays.”
Addressing the delay in VC elections, the party’s draft emphasized that despite the High Court’s involvement, technical issues cited by the State Election Commission have stalled the electoral process. The term of the Village Committees expired in 2021, and since then, there have been no elected bodies to oversee governance.
“Village Committees are essential for local administration, decision-making, and the implementation of welfare schemes. The absence of elected committees has led to a governance vacuum at the grassroots level, disrupting democratic processes, limiting community engagement, and hindering development initiatives,” the document pointed out.
The Tipra Motha Party also called for the formation of new Village Committees to serve the new settlements established for the resettled Bru communities in Tripura.
“We fear that failure to address this issue promptly could lead to further delays in the electoral process. Conducting elections without creating new Village Committees for these camps would be unjust,” the memorandum added.
The party additionally urged attention to the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which pertains to empowering tribal district councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Bill was introduced in Parliament but has not been passed yet.
“The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs submitted its report on March 5, 2020, but no significant progress has been made. Despite several meetings involving the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from various ADCs, the Bill remains pending. We respectfully request your intervention to ensure that the Government of India acknowledges the significance of this amendment and passes it without further delay. This step is crucial to safeguarding and enhancing the rights and powers of the indigenous people of Tripura and the Northeast,” the draft further stated.
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