Pradyot Manikya questions targeting of Tiprasa, flags radical threat from Bangladesh

TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Manikya Debbarma on December 19, strongly condemned the killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, questioning why the Tiprasa community continues to be targeted despite being at the forefront of protests against atrocities on minorities in the neighbouring country.

Debbarma asked why action was not being taken against radical elements across the border, instead of targeting indigenous communities. He also rejected what he described as Bangladesh’s alleged narrative of breaking up India’s Northeast, asserting that the Tiprasa were the first to oppose such ideas. “We have always stood against attempts to destabilise the Northeast. Then why are we being targeted?” he questioned.

His remarks came amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh, where fresh protests erupted on December 19 after demonstrators vandalised and demolished the remaining portions of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area. Protesters also set fire to a poster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the site.

Bangladesh has been witnessing widespread turmoil since the night of December 18, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the platform Inqilab Mancha. Protests have since spread across Dhaka and several other parts of the country, accompanied by incidents of violence, arson and vandalism.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, a mob used bulldozers to demolish the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi late night. The house, which had already been partially damaged earlier, was further razed amid slogans against Sheikh Hasina and India.

Several media offices were also reportedly set on fire during the violence.

Outside the capital, violence was reported from Bhaluka, where miscreants allegedly attacked the house of Dipu Chandra Das. According to local media, he was beaten to death, after which his body was tied to a tree and set on fire. Das was employed at a garments factory.