Tripura, Feb 18: The Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) has formally objected to the proposed establishment of a Border Security Force (BSF) camp in a Schedule Tribe area under Sepahijala district, raising concerns over Indigenous land rights and legal safeguards.
In a memorandum submitted to the District Magistrate and Collector of Sepahijala, the student body opposed the setting up of a 49 Battalion BSF camp in areas under the Chikan Chara Village Committee and Amtali Village Committee, which fall within the Sixth Schedule. TSF stated that the land belongs to the Scheduled Tribe community and has been traditionally owned and used by Indigenous people for generations.
The organization argued that setting up a security camp on such land would violate the rights of Indigenous communities and negatively impact their livelihood and socio-economic development. According to the memorandum, the move could lead to economic hardship and hinder the overall growth of local inhabitants.
TSF further cited Section 41(1) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, which provides special safeguards for Scheduled Tribe areas. The Act mandates that land acquisition in such regions should be avoided as far as possible and undertaken only as a last resort.
The student body also referred to provisions under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), emphasizing that Indigenous communities have the right to own, use, and control their traditionally occupied lands and resources. It highlighted that military activities should not be carried out on Indigenous lands without prior consultation and consent of the concerned communities.
TSF urged the district administration to safeguard and respect the legal and constitutional rights of Indigenous inhabitants and reconsider the proposed project. The memorandum was submitted by TSF Vice-President John Debbarma.
The issue is expected to spark wider discussions regarding land rights and development projects in Sixth Schedule areas of Tripura.
