Article:
In recent times, the tribal outfits of Tripura have come together for a significant cause – advocating for the creation of a separate state, Greater Tipraland, specifically for indigenous communities in the region. The political consortium includes parties like TIPRA Motha (Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance) and IPFT (Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura).
Key Points Surrounding the Demand
The principal demand of these tribal outfits is to establish a distinct ‘Greater Tipraland’ state that would be home to the indigenous communities of Tripura. This state would be carved out under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution by the Centre. Of the 19 notified Scheduled Tribes in Tripura, Tripuris (also known as Tipra and Tiprasas) are the largest. The 2011 census enumerated at least 5.92 lakh Tripuris in the state, followed by the Bru or Reang (1.88 lakh), and Jamatias (83,000).
Understanding Article 2 & 3 of the Constitution
According to Article 2, the Parliament may admit into the Union or establish new States as they see fit. However, the establishment of a new union territory can only be conducted through a constitutional amendment, not merely by passing a law. Then there’s Article 3, which gives the Parliament the right to formulate laws related to the formation of new states and alteration of existing states.
The Immediate Cause for the Demand
The primary factors that have led to this development include the rise of the TIPRA Motha party and the state’s political turmoil with upcoming Assembly elections in early 2023.
The Historical Background of the Demand
Dating back to the late 13th century, Tripura was governed by the Manikya dynasty till the signing of the Instrument of Accession with the Indian government in 1949. There’s been a significant alteration in the demographics of the state due to the displacement of Bengalis from erstwhile East Pakistan between 1947-1971, leading to the indigenous communities’ anxieties. Their population dropped from 63.77% in 1881 to 31.80% by 2011. These changes sparked ethnic conflict and insurgency in the state, which sports an approximately 860-km long border with Bangladesh.
Addressing the Indigenous People’s Issues
The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTADC) was created under the constitution’s sixth schedule in 1985 to secure the rights, cultural heritage, and development of tribal communities. The proposed ‘Greater Tipraland’ would emerge from this TTADC area and secure the rights of the Tripuris and other indigenous communities living outside Tripura. The TTADC, which possesses both executive and legislative powers, spans nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s geographical area.
Reservation Policy
Out of the 60 Assembly seats in Tripura, 20 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. This reservation policy aims to offer representation and secure rights for these communities within the state’s legislative assembly.
Other North-East Demands
Similar demands for autonomous states or regions are present in other North-Eastern states as well, including Greater Nagalim (incorporating parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, and Myanmar), Bodoland in Assam, and Tribal Autonomy in Meghalaya.
The Way Forward
Considering the future, it is essential to focus more on economic and social viability rather than political considerations. Clear-cut parameters and safeguards should be implemented to check unfettered demands. It is suggested that valid bases for conceding to demands for a new state should be rooted in democratic concerns of development, decentralisation and governance, rather than religion, caste, language or dialect. Moreover, fundamental problems such as power concentration, corruption, administrative inefficiency, etc., must also be addressed efficiently.
Sources: IE.
