Pradyot Debbarma Demands Stronger Land Protections for Tripura Tribes

Agartala: Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma challenged the state to move beyond flowers and statues. The Tipra Motha Party founder spoke on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. He argued that current land policies fail to protect indigenous communities.

The late Maharaja introduced a 1940 law to stop non-indigenous people from taking tribal land. Debbarma noted that the Tripura Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act changed this legal framework after Independence. While parts of the region fall under the Sixth Schedule as the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, he claims tribal residents still struggle to get land pattas.

"Today, we celebrate Maharaja Bir Bikram's birthday and seek votes in his name, but when will we fulfil his dream?" Debbarma asked. He pointed to neighbors like Mizoram, Nagaland, and the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo areas as proof that stronger land protections are possible.

Debbarma says land ownership remains the base for social and economic security. He wants the state to ensure no poor indigenous person ends up landless. He continues to push for a unified, secure future where tribal rights receive full constitutional backing.