Tripura: Indigenous Parties Recall Madhabbari Firing, Observe 'Black Day'

Agartala, January 8, 2019:

Regional parties from across Tripura as well as the Congress party observed 'black day' today recalling the Madhabbari firing that occured on January 8, in 2019.

On this day last year, police fired indiscriminately on the protestors (mostly youths affiliated with the TSF and NESO) who were agitating against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, that has now become an Act.

All regional parties, including ruling coalition partner IPFT joined the protest at Madhabbari. JMACAB (Joint Movement Against Citizenship Amendment Bill), an apolitical platform, also extended support to the protest that was jointly called by the TSF (Twipra Students Federation) and NESO (North East Students' Organization).

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IPFT Heneral Secretary and Forest Minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia attended the programme along with indigenous leaders Animesh Devbarma, INPT second in command Jagadinh Devbarma, JMACAB convener Anthony Debbarma, and TUICP leader Ranjit Debbarma.

On the other hand, the IPFT’s own sit in demonstration agaisnt CAA in Tripura’s ADC headquarters Khwmwlawng entered its third day.

Speaking to this reporter, IPFT supremo NC Debbarma, who also holds the state’s revenue portfolio, said, “the pre-announced peaceful sit-in demonstration of the party entered its third day today. We started our protest from January 6 last and it will continue until the centre leaves out Tripura from the purview of CAA”.

The state unit of the Congress party also extended support to the NESO’s call and observed a black day here in the state capital.

Speaking to the media, TPCC acting Chief Pijush Biswas said that on January 8 last year, police went on to shooting spree on the agitating youth at Madhabbari. "We condemn such activities from the part of state police and thus we are also observing this day as black day", he added.

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