Agartala, June 16: TIPRA Motha founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Tuesday expressed hope that the Supreme Court would deliver justice to the Tiprasa people by directing the conduct of long-pending Village Committee (VC) elections in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Addressing supporters through a Facebook Live session ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, Pradyot said the elections had been delayed for nearly a decade and described the legal battle as a fight for democratic rights in the tribal villages.
“I am hopeful that after 10 years, the Supreme Court will finally ensure justice and direct that the VC elections be held,” he said.
Pradyot claimed that he had pursued the matter in both the High Court and the Supreme Court over the past two years, bearing the legal and travel expenses personally. He said the effort was aimed at securing constitutional and democratic rights for the people rather than advancing any political party’s interests.
Taking a swipe at his critics, he alleged that while many had held press conferences and made public statements on the issue, few had contributed to the legal fight. “Others may criticize, but I have spent my own resources to ensure that democracy reaches our villages,” he said.
The TIPRA Motha leader also questioned the delay in holding local elections, stating that discussions on larger democratic reforms ring hollow when elections in tribal villages remain pending for years.
During the live address, Pradyot called for unity among the Tiprasa community and urged people to rise above internal divisions. He said the community was now educated, aware of its rights, and capable of pursuing justice through constitutional means.
“Do not take the Tiprasa people lightly. We know our rights and will continue to fight for them,” he said, adding that his commitment was to the community rather than any political organisation.
In a separate Facebook post, Pradyot described the legal struggle as “long and expensive,” saying that years of court proceedings, legal expenses and travel had taken a toll but had not weakened his resolve.
“After a long and expensive struggle I am hopeful that the Hon’ble Supreme Court will give us, the Tiprasa people, justice. It’s been a long personal fight for me and at times a fight I have fought all alone to ensure the VC elections are held after 10 years,” he wrote.
He added that despite “lakhs of legal expenses and travels,” his determination to ensure democratic governance in the villages remained unchanged.
The Supreme Court hearing on the Village Committee election matter was scheduled for Tuesday, with stakeholders awaiting the court’s decision on the future course of the long-delayed electoral process.
