Tribals will become 15% minority if CAB is passed, says IPFT leader

Saturday, December 12, 2019:

The Indigenous People's Party of Tripura (IPFT) party, which is part of a ruling coalition with the BJP party in the state, has called for a statewide shutdown on 9 August as a mark of protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

While talking to Inside Northeast, IPFT youth leader Sukla Charan Noatia, stated that the party has called for a 12 hours bandh from 6 am onwards in the TTADC areas to protest the CAB.

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Revealing the multiple threats posed to the indigenous people by the Bill, Sukla lamented that if it is implemented in the state, the population of the indigenous people will decrease to 15%. "Already the population of indigenous tribals has declined -- now, we are at 31%, if the Bill is implemented it is bound to decrease further -- to around 15%."

Sukla also opined that the Bill will affect the employment and livelihood opportunities for the indigenous people. "Not only that. In Tripura, STs only have 20 seats only reserved for them, out of 60. If the CAB comes, the number is bound to decrease further."

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The IPFT leader also signaled a warning for the land rights of the tribals. "The sixth schedule areas have no special land rights; they are monitored by the state Government", Sukla said.

The youth leader also said that due to the above-mentioned reasons, the IPFT party are opposed to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Sukla also appealed that the Government must create a separate state Tipraland for the tribals of the state, to protect their rights and privileges.

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