New Delhi: The Central government on Saturday signed a significant tripartite agreement with the Tripura government, Opposition TIPRA Motha party and other stakeholders.
The agreement is aimed at addressing concerns and demands raised by TIPRA Motha’s founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma about the development of the state’s indigenous population.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Kishore.
“Today is a historic day for Tripura. We paid our respect to history, corrected the mistakes and accepted today’s reality through this agreement. We have put together these three aspects and worked towards the future. No one can change history but can move forward after learning from the mistakes and keeping sight of the realities,” Shah said.
Tribals in Tripura faced marginalisation and became a minority due to demographic changes resulting from non-tribal settlements prior to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and apprehensions regarding illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
“I am glad that TIPRA Motha, all tribal parties and all organisations have played a very constructive role in this. The BJP-led government of Tripura has worked for it from the outset. Former Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb has worked for it, incumbent CM Manik Saha has studied it in detail and helped positively in reaching it to a conclusion. I am confident that Tripura will join Modiji’s dream of ‘Viksit Bharat’ with both its participation and share. When we achieve ‘Viksit Bharat’, Tripura will go ahead along with the rest of the country as ‘Viksit Tripura’,” Shah said.
Shah referred to multiple agreements signed by the Centre for peace and stability in north-east India, and emphasised that the government has endeavoured to establish a terrorism-free, dispute-free and violence-free region.
“We have spoken with different outfits. Nearly 10,000 people have laid down arms and returned to the mainstream of life. There is an ambience of development in NE India due to this,” Shah added.
Shah addressed the decades-long armed tribal insurgency in Tripura and provided assurance that the tribal population of the state won’t have to struggle for their rights.
“Some disputes and clashes happened. But everyone has decided to go ahead together. I want to assure you that you will never have to fight for your rights anymore. The Government of India will stay two steps ahead and will devise a system to ensure that all rights of everyone are honoured,” Shah said.
