Latest news with #RanjitDebbarma
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tripura rally seeks identification, deportation of illegal immigrants
Agartala: Civil Society Organisations and NGOs held a rally here on Monday, demanding the state govt identify and deport illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. The demonstration, featuring a national flag, aimed to draw attention to the issue of illegal immigration in the state. Notable figures from various tribal bodies and community leaders attended the rally, including BJP's ally in the govt, TIPRA Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma. Debbarma appealed to all political parties to unite in combating illegal immigration to ensure greater unity and secure the future for the next generation. The organisers alleged a significant influx of Chakma tribes from the Chittagong Hill Tracts into the state. In the hills, these migrants have constructed Buddhist monasteries and established settlements over the years. In Agartala, a Chakma colony emerged rapidly, housing individuals from Bangladesh with illegal documents, they added. A substantial number of Chakmas secured govt jobs, including executive positions, by managing illegal documents within the state. Most mango orchards in Gandacherra of Dhalai district are owned by Chakmas who reside in other Indian cities or Chittagong, enjoying dual citizenship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Il gioco di fattoria più rilassante del 2025. Nessuna installazione Taonga: la fattoria sull'isola Gioca Undo Areas such as Bamutia and Mohanpur near Agartala have multiple families of this nature, but no action has been taken, NGO leaders claimed. Addressing the gathering, Debbarma said that shortly after the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, the Centre issued orders to all states and territorial administrations to eliminate illegal immigrants, but these efforts failed in Tripura. Subsequent orders in 2017 and 2021 by the then Left Front and BJP govt, respectively were neither publicised nor executed. On May 19 this year, the MHA issued directives to all state govts following the Pahalgam incident to identify and deport illegal migrants to their respective countries. Consequently, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana began implementing the order. "Unfortunately, the Tripura govt sat on the direction, making the indigenous people angry. These people are infiltrating Tripura and managing forged documents, buying lands, creating imbalance to our employment opportunities and resources," Debbarma said. "We should not engage in vote-bank politics regarding infiltration. Everyone must unite against illegal immigration," he asserted, adding that his party does not support community-based politics.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Town Hall renaming bid sparks controversy; ally Tipra Motha MLA, CPI(M), Cong oppose move, Tripura govt defends decision
The Tripura government's bid to rename the Town Hall in Agartala after Hindutva ideologue Dr Syamaprasad Mookerjee has sparked a controversy in the northeastern state. The Town Hall was built in 1985 by the former Left Front government after demolishing the Lal Mahal, which was a part of the erstwhile royal palace compound housing the Ujjayanta Palace and the Laxmi Narayan Bari Temple. 'Apolitical' stand of Tipra Motha legislator A day after Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced the decision to rechristen the Town Hall after the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma Monday opposed the decision and urged the CM to set up a separate building and dedicate it in the memory of Mookerjee. Speaking at an 'apolitical' event congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for passing directives to identify and deport illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar, Ranjit Debbarma, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state, said, 'Please don't create a controversy by renaming the town hall after Dr Mookerjee.' Citing the earlier renaming of the Victoria Memorial Hospital, the Durbar Hall and the Astabal Ground in Agartala, the Tipra Motha MLA said political regimes over the decades have turned renaming into a competition in Tripura. 'We shall not accept these. That's why we want to request the CM to withdraw the announcement to rename Agartala Town Hall after Dr Mookerjee,' Ranjit Debbarma said. Praise for former CM Biplab Deb Although MLA Ranjit Debbarma criticised incumbent Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha's move to rename the Town Hall, he expressed gratitude to former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb for renaming the Agartala Airport after Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Debbarma, a ruler of the Manikya dynasty, and places like Baramura Hills and Gandacherra to Hatai Kotor and Ganda Twisa, respectively, during his regime. Ranjit Debbarma said Biplab Kumar Deb honoured the tribal history of the state through the renaming. Ranjit Debbarma, who used to be the supremo of the now-disbanded All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), was arrested in Bangladesh and later joined mainstream politics, contesting and winning the 2023 assembly elections on a Tipra Motha ticket. He recently sparked a major controversy, stating that his party would withdraw support from the BJP-led alliance government due to the 'non-fulfilment' of the tripartite Tiprasa Accord. Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma later clarified that Ranjit Debbarma's comments were 'made out of frustration' and the tribal party would not withdraw support from the state government. Opposition voices Opposition leader and CPI(M) politburo member Jitendra Chaudhury said the bid to rename the Town Hall instead of building a new structure was tantamount to disrespecting the legacy of the city as well as that of Mookerjee. 'I am sure the people of this city would not accept it. I urge the government to reconsider this decision… I am not against dedicating a building, hospital, or school after Dr Mookerjee. You (the BJP) are in power. The central government has funds, even if the state does not. More infrastructure is needed to accommodate events, political conferences, etc,' Jitendra Chaudhury added. Tripura Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha also said that the government could have built a new building and named it after Mookerjee, rather than renaming the Town Hall after him. Govt defends renaming move Meanwhile, Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the decision to rename the Town Hall was taken after taking all stakeholders into confidence. Speaking to reporters at the BJP state headquarters in Agartala on Monday, the minister claimed there was no difference in opinion among the ruling allies about the renaming move, and added that MLA Ranjit Debbarma could have got confused 'owing to rumours'. 'There is a rumour that the name Town Hall would be changed. As per the gazette notification and official records, the building is named Town Hall, not Agartala Town Hall. We shall only add Dr Syamaprasad Mookerjee's name before it and rename it as Dr Syamaprasad Mookerjee Town Hall,' Sushanta Chowdhury said. Asked about MLA Ranjit Debbarma's remarks, he said, 'Tipra Motha is our alliance partner. After the 2023 elections, they were in the Opposition. Jitendra (Chowdhury) Babu became the Opposition leader after they (Tipra Motha) joined us. They (Tipra Motha) have realised that the central and state governments are moving towards development… They have been working as our strongest partner since their inclusion in the government.' Taking potshots at the Opposition, Sushanta Chowdhury said, 'Jiten Babu (Jitendra Chaudhury) is asking to withdraw the decision. This Town Hall was inaugurated in 1985 by acquiring royal land and demolishing the Lal Mahal. They (Communists) then didn't honour someone from the royal family. He is opposing the current renaming by citing royal sentiments. Tribals remained backward during the Left regime… Now Jiten Babu is trying to rake up tribal sentiments… Tribals have supported the IPFT and the Motha, and both parties are with us now in the state government. They have realised that the BJP alone can do development. So, any effort to confuse the people by playing up sentiments would not work.' Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the BJP alone has shown respect to tribals and the erstwhile royal family by renaming Agartala Airport as Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, and announcing a holiday on the last king's birthday, among others. He also said that stakeholders, including cultural activists, artists, litterateurs, and the state-level cultural committee, were consulted before the renaming decision was taken. 'At least, we have not renamed (Town Hall) after Lenin or Stalin or outsiders whom people of the state and the country don't know,' he added. Illegal immigration On Monday, MLA Ranjit Debbarma also said that many states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, have started implementing the directive of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to detect and deport illegal immigrants, but the Tripura government has not yet started doing it. 'We want this initiative to be taken in Tripura too, without any delay, or else, we shall do whatever movement is required for the implementation of the notification', he said at an event where he also spoke about the Town Hall renaming bid. Citing Tipra Motha's slogan of 'puila jati, ulo party (community first, party later)', Ranjit Debbarma claimed the anti-illegal immigration movement has support from all sections of society, including Bengalis, tribals, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Hindus.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM: Implementation process of Tiprasa Accord underway
Agartala: A day after BJP's junior partner in Tripura govt TIPRA Motha threatened to withdraw support from the govt for not implementing the promises, chief minister Manik Saha on Sunday said the implementation process of the Tiprasa (tribal) Accord is underway. "I am in regular touch with Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman about the issues related to their demands. The Prime Minister is very much concerned about the development of tribals in the country and our leaders have a special feeling towards royal family," he said. His remarks came in response to TIPRA Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma's statement, accusing both the state and central govts of inaction regarding the Accord's implementation and threat of withdrawing support from the BJP-led govt. Saha termed Ranjit's statement as an internal matter of their party. "I don't think I should comment on that. I haven't received anything officially in writing. I can say that the process of implementing the Tiprasa Accord is ongoing," the CM said while speaking on the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on Sunday. Addressing media, TIPRA Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma on Saturday said they have extended support to the govt following some conditions but none of them were fulfilled. Despite the high court order, the state govt has not conducted village council election, two seats of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) were vacant for long time. Meanwhile, a TIPRA Motha delegation on Saturday began a foot march for Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding push back of illegal Bangladeshi nationals who came here after 1971.
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Received no communication from Tipra Motha over withdrawal of support': Tripura CM Manik Saha
A day after the Tipra Motha flip-flopped on the issue of withdrawing support from the BJP-led coalition government in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha Sunday said he has not received any communication on the matter from the tribal party. 'What the Tipra Motha MLA (Ranjit Debbarma) said over the tripartite accord… I didn't receive anything in writing from the party,' Saha said in Agartala on the sidelines of a BJP program. Speaking on the tripartite Tiprasa Accord, the chief minister said he was in regular touch with Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, and the process to implement the Accord was on. Meanwhile, Pradyot Kishore met Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu at Raj Bhawan on Sunday. After the meeting, the Tipra Motha founder said, 'It's a personal visit to the Governor. We also met yesterday (Saturday) at a program. He told me to meet him and, accordingly, I visited him and talked about various subjects. Whatever discussion happened between me and the Governor will remain between us. I don't want to comment on this before the media. The only thing I can say is that the Governor has heard my views, and I have heard his advice patiently. Let's see how things turn out.' When asked about the recent visit of a Tipra Motha delegation to the Governor over the infiltration issue, Pradyot Kishore said, 'If we cannot unite to stop illegal infiltration, then it will be a huge injustice to our next generation, who will be deprived of a better tomorrow. Political parties should come together and stop illegal infiltration that is happening in Tripura, because it is going to affect Tripura, it is going to affect the Northeast, and it is going to affect India as well.' Asked about his recent interactions with the chief minister, Pradyot Kishore said, 'Whatever is discussed between me and him is for the betterment of Tripura and not for anything else. I spoke to him yesterday, and if required, I shall speak to him today also.' On Saturday, Tipra Motha MLA and rebel-turned-politician Ranjit Debbarma first said at a press conference that they were ready to withdraw support from the Manik Saha-led government over the 'non-implementation' of the Tiprasa Accord and the 'failure' to rein in illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. But within hours of that announcement, Pradyot Kishore clarified that Tipra Motha was not leaving the ruling coalition. Replying to questions from media persons, he had said, 'I didn't know what was said in the press conference. I shall talk to Ranjit Debbarma and ask what statement was given.'
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
TIPRA Motha MLA says ready to withdraw support from BJP govt; party chief denies
AGARTALA: An MLA of Tripura's ruling alliance partner TIPRA Motha on Saturday said the party was ready to withdraw support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government and walk alone, citing the government's failure to control illegal immigration and fulfill promises made in the tripartite Tiprasa Accord last year. TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma. (File Photo) TIPRA Motha MLA and rebel-turned political leader Ranjit Debbarma said they had waited for 1.5 years since the accord was signed to reach an amicable solution to problems of history, land rights, political rights, economic development, identity, culture, language etc. faced by tribals without any progress and decided to withdraw support unless the accord is implemented soon. However, TIPRA Motha founder and supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma told journalists that he wasn't aware of the statements made by Ranjit Debbarma and added that he would inquire about it. He also said that he had a word with chief minister Manik Saha about 'genuine frustration' among tribals centering the pending Tiprasa Accord and added that the CM had promised him to take up the matter with the central government at the right platform to ensure amicable resolutions. Speaking to reporters, MLA Ranjit Debbarma, who was the chief of the dreaded insurgent outfit All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) before returning to normal life and winning the assembly elections two years ago, said: 'What's the benefit of even staying a part of the government? We never left our core demand of Greater Tipraland. Meanwhile, the 125th amendment bill, by-election for vacant seats in the ADC council, ADC village council polls haven't been held yet (long after they were scheduled to be held). We have waited to see some progress in the Tiprasa Accord but there is no progress till now. We are ready to withdraw support and leave the government. We shall be joining the central government for discussion for one last time this month before deciding.' He also claimed that 13 MLAs of the tribal party, its ministers and even BJP MP Kriti Devi Debbarma, the younger sister of Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma who joined BJP shortly before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and won the Parliamentary polls afterwards, were ready to resign from their positions. Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said, 'I have spoken to chief minister Dr. Manik Saha and communicated the genuine frustration among tribals in the villages due to unfulfillment of the Tiprasa Accord. I also discussed the large number of illegal immigrants coming inside Tripura from Bangladesh amidst the prevailing situation there. The CM has assured me that he would take it up at the right platform to ensure proper resolution to the accord.' Asked if his party would take the hard line if the accord isn't fulfilled shortly, Pradyot Kishore said he would like to repose faith in the CM considering the latter has assured him to personally take up the issue with New Delhi. Former chief minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb said he feels Ranjit Debbarma isn't the right person to declare policy for TIPRA Motha and considering that Motha is a ruling alliance partner of BJP, whatever Pradyot Kishore says is considered as the tribal party's policy. However, opposition leader and CPI(M) politburo member Jitendra Chaudhury came out in stark criticism of the ruling alliance and said BJP and TIPRA Motha fixed the alliance despite not agreeing on many issues and such a disagreement was bound to happen. He, however, said that he wouldn't comment anymore on the internal difference of decision within Motha. The BJP now has nine ministers in the 12 member cabinet in Tripura, while IPFT has one minister and TIPRA Motha has one cabinet minister and one minister of state.
