Amit Shah discusses tribal areas' issues with Tipra Motha chief, center to appoint interlocutor to resolve demands

After long discussions, the Union government will soon appoint an interlocutor to study and resolve the demands of the Tipra-Motha within three months as Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held discussions with Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, in the presence of BJP president J P Nadda, over various issues faced by the indigenous people of Tripura.

The Tipra-Motha, after capturing the politically important Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in April 2021, has been demanding elevation of the areas of the autonomous body by granting a 'Greater Tipraland State' or a separate state under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution.

Soon after the meeting, Tipra-Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore  said that Shah has assured that like in the case of Nagaland, an interlocutor will be appointed to study and resolve the demands of Motha within three months.

"If we find satisfactory constitutional solutions to our demands, we would sign an accord with the Central government. Unless and until our demands are resolved, we will not join the BJP-led government in Tripura," said Pradyot .

Besides Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, and all the 13 Motha MLAs and senior leaders of the party were present at the meeting.

Pradyot in a social media post said that “the Home Minister has started the process for a constitutional solution for the indigenous people of Tripura . An interlocutor for this process will be appointed and this will be within a specific time frame . I thank the Home Minister for understanding the genuine problems of the Son of the soil. We successfully got our Bru people rehabilitated in our state after 23 years by signing the Bru accord and today we have started a huge dialogue to ensure that our survival and existence are protected. Issues such as alliance and cabinet were never discussed, only the interest of our dopha was discussed.”

After Wednesday's swearing-in-ceremony of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha-led nine-member council of ministry, three ministerial berths remained vacant as the BJP has been approaching the Tipra-Motha to join its government in Tripura.

After the meeting, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Tripura Chief Minister would hold a series of meetings with the Motha, BJP ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and all concerned NGOs to identify the loopholes and issues and to undertake a holistic approach for the upliftment of the tribals.

At the meeting, it was decided that considering the International Women's Day on Wednesday, two tribal woman leaders -- Jayanti Debbarma (IPFT) and Patal Kanya Debbarma (BJP) -- would be appointed in a board or PSU with Minister of State rank.

Both Jayanti Debbarma and Patal Kanya Debbarma unsuccessfully contested the February 16 Assembly polls in Tripura.