Pradyot Deb Barma reaches New Delhi, TIPRA Motha declares highway blockade and hunger strike from Feb 28

In a significant development, Tripura’s opposition party TIPRA Motha has announced its plans to block National Highway 8, the lifeline of Tripura, and sit on fast unto death from February 28 to protest the central government’s alleged delay in implementing constitutional solutions for the state’s indigenous population, party’s president Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl said today amid reports that Motha founder and Tripura royal scion has been called to New Delhi and he has reached the national capital for talks with the Centre.

Speaking to reporters in Agartala following a meeting of the central working committee, district leaders, and various other organizations, Hrangkhawl, also a former MLA, disclosed that the agitation would commence with Pradyot Kishore Debbarma and other leaders embarking on a hunger strike.

Hrangkhawl emphasized the party’s frustration with the central government’s prolonged discussions, alleging a deliberate delay in addressing demands for Greater Tipraland and constitutional rights for indigenous people.

Hrangkhawl, a former militant turned politician, accused the central government of engaging in political maneuvering to undermine TIPRA Motha’s support base, dismissing defections to the BJP as orchestrated and insisting that those left are still remain TIPRA supporters.

Regarding the hunger strike, Hrangkhawl stated that it could potentially escalate into a fast-unto-death or an indefinite strike, underscoring the seriousness of the party’s stance.

Additionally, he hinted at undisclosed future plans to further pressure the government.

Pradyot Deb Barma who had just yesterday threatened to go for a fast unto death if a constitutional solution is not arrived at to safeguard the land, language, culture, heritage and livelihood of the indegenous Tiprasa people of Tripura.