Tripura Royal Pradyot Manikya Heads Massive 'War Cry' against CAA

Agartala, January 11, 2019:

Tens of thousands people belonging to various indigenous communities of Tripura took to the streets of Agartala against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) today responding to the call of Royal scion and former state Congress chief Pradyot Manikya

Today’s protest, headed by Manikya, seemed to have brought new life in the continuous protests being held in different parts of the state. Dasharam, Madhabbari located near Khwmwlwng, the ADC head quarters of the state witnessed one of the colossal gatherings of recent times against the act. The protests had earlier slowed down after almost all the indigenous leaders were called on to talk with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at New Delhi.

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The former Congress leader, who had been one of the participants of the meeting presided over by Home Minister Shah, recently floated his own apolitical platform TIPRA (The Indigenous Progressive Regional alliance) to fight against the CAA.

Speaking to the media persons, in the sidelines of his rally, Manikya said, “There is a very clear message that the Indigenous people of Tripura are against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Tripura has already accommodated many people. We are requesting the government of India to kindly be considered Because the indigenous people of the state are in grave danger due to this act.”

He urged the government to assure the state's people of not enforcing this act in Tripura, which seems “draconian” and “against the existence” of Tiprasa community.

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“We want assurances from government of India and we don't want this act to be implemented in Tripura. Because Tripura has taken enough already. We have all gathered here today, non-politically and we want to assure New Delhi that you can not cow down the voice of the indigenous people of Tripura any more. We are here not as any political party, we are here as Tiparasa. We are here as proud Indians and we oppose this Bill, this act because its effects the very existence of our community,” he said.

When asked to react in the meeting with Home Minister, Manikya replied that he had convinced Shah too that there would be no compromise on the issue of CAA.

“The Home Minister met us and tried to make us understand that this Bill is in the interest of this country. If this Bill is not of our interest then how is it in the interest of this country? Can you segregate one community and say that this is in the interest of the country? I have told him that I will take it to the Supreme Court and we are very hopeful that the highest judiciary of this land will consider the injustice done to the indigenous people of this region. Not only Tripura but to the entire North East”.

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He also dared the Home Minister and said his stand was not to gain any political mileage but was to set off a social movement against the act .

“I am not here as a politician any more, so if the Home Minister thinks he is talking to politician then he is incorrect, he is talking to a person who is leading a social movement here. I have been very honest with him. He heard us patiently. And we are hopeful he will reconsider his decision and not enforce this act in the entire region and specifically in Tripura. We are very categorical there is no compromise on that”, he added.

Apart from Pradyot, former militant leader Ranjit Debbarma, and TPF leader Patal Kanya Jamatia, also participated in the rally and supported the common cause of protesting CAA.

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