Centre signs tripartite pact to solve problems of Tripura's indigenous people
New Delhi: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the Narendra Modi government on Saturday entered into a tripartite agreement between TIPRA Motha and Tripura government to bring a lasting solution to the problems of the state's indigenous people.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present at the signing ceremony, said the government has respected history, corrected past wrongs and accepted the present reality to proceed towards a brighter future by signing the agreement.
"I assure all stakeholders of Tripura that you won't have to fight for your rights anymore. The government of India will be two steps ahead in creating mechanisms to safeguard your rights," he said adding no one can change history, everyone can learn from their past mistakes and move ahead.
The Tripura Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance, popularly known as TIPRA Motha, and all tribal parties have played a constructive role and the BJP government in Tripura also worked sincerely towards this agreement, he said.
“Under the pact, it was agreed to amicably resolve all issues of indigenous people of Tripura relating to history, land and political rights, economic development, identity, culture and language. Along with this, it was agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group/Committee to work out and implement the mutually agreed points on all the above mentioned issues in a time-bound manner to ensure an honourable solution,” a statement said.
“In order to maintain a conducive atmosphere for implementation of the pact, all stakeholders shall refrain from resorting to any form of protest/agitation, starting from the day of signing of the agreement,” it added.
TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Debbarma, a former Congress leader, was on a 'fast-unto-death' to demand a permanent solution to the problems of the indigenous people and came to Delhi for the signing ceremony.
"There has been an agreement today. It is a historical agreement. I am happy that the Government of India has acknowledged the mistakes of the past and is looking forward to solving the problems of the indigenous people...The govt has given us an assurance that our language, economics, political aspirations and our cultural history will be given importance.... I want to tell our people that everyone has been with us," he said.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior officials of Ministry of Home Affairs and Tripura government were also present.