Tripartite Accord to Be Implemented in Two Phases; Land Rights Likely This Month
New Delhi, September 4: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha held a high-level meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday, with the implementation of the Tripartite Agreement and issues concerning the rights and welfare of Tripura’s indigenous communities taking centre stage.
The meeting, which lasted for around 90 minutes at the Union Home Minister’s residence, was attended by Tipra Motha founder Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma and BJP’s Northeast coordinator Dr Sambit Patra, among others.
Following the meeting, Chief Minister Manik Saha described the discussions as “fruitful and constructive”, saying that matters of mutual importance as well as the development and welfare of the people of Tripura were discussed.
According to sources, the Union Home Minister assured the participants that the implementation of the Tripartite Accord would proceed in two phases. The issue of land rights for indigenous people is also expected to see movement within the current month.
The discussions reportedly covered land-related rights within the constitutional framework of the Sixth Schedule, along with measures aimed at protecting the identity, culture, language and socio-economic interests of Tripura’s indigenous communities.
The Tripartite Agreement was signed in New Delhi on March 2, 2024, between the Government of India, the Government of Tripura, TIPRA and other stakeholders. It seeks to address a range of longstanding issues concerning indigenous people, including land, political rights, economic development, identity, culture and language.
The latest meeting assumes additional political significance with the TTAADC Village Committee elections approaching. The BJP and Tipra Motha have reportedly been holding discussions over a possible electoral understanding, including seat-sharing for the 587 Village Committees scheduled to go to polls on September 28.
While the latest talks are being viewed as a significant step towards implementation of the agreement, the government has not yet officially detailed the timeline, mechanism or precise scope of the proposed two-phase process.
Chief Minister Manik Saha is expected to make a detailed statement on the developments on Saturday.
