The Tripura Pradesh Congress launched a sharp attack on the state government and the ruling alliance over a series of recent developments, ranging from the proposed formation of a Nagar Panchayat in Bishramganj to the Kokborok script controversy, ADC-related allegations, education policy concerns, forest rights, and the prevailing law and order situation.
Addressing a press conference, Tripura Pradesh Congress spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty said the Congress is not opposed in principle to the formation of a Nagar Panchayat in Bishramganj. However, he stressed that the area is demographically mixed and adjacent to ADC regions, and therefore a special commission should have been constituted to gather opinions from all sections of the population before implementing the decision on the basis of consensus.
He alleged that after the ward demarcation decision, top leaders of Tipra Motha met the District Magistrate and opposed the formation of the Nagar Panchayat, demanding inclusion of 30 percent ADC area. According to the district administration, however, no ADC area falls within the proposed Nagar Panchayat, and the concerned MLA and MDC had attended meetings and expressed their consent. Chakraborty termed this stance as “double standards.”
Allegations Over Land and Forest Rights
The Congress spokesperson further raised concerns over land transfers in ADC areas, amendments to the Forest Rights Act, and the alleged dilution of powers of village committees, holding the central government responsible. He also accused the ruling party in the ADC of dissolving relevant committees, thereby paving the way for arbitrary land transfers.
Chakraborty claimed that several valuable land parcels had been handed over to industrialists without adhering to legal procedures, though he did not present specific government documents in support of the allegations.
Kokborok Script Controversy and Education Policy
On the ongoing agitation demanding the introduction of Roman script for the Kokborok language, Chakraborty said raising the issue during the examination season is creating confusion among students. He recalled that Daulat Ahmed (1897) and Radhomohan Thakur (Debbarma) (1899) had authored Kokborok grammar books that were historically written and studied in Bengali script.
Referring to a commission led by noted linguist Pabitra Sarkar, he said the panel had recommended that neither Bengali nor Roman script should be imposed, and that the decision should be left to the indigenous community.
He also alleged that despite being in power in the ADC, the concerned party has not taken concrete steps on the Kokborok script issue. Additionally, he criticized the implementation of the 2020 National Education Policy and school mergers, claiming that in hilly areas schools have become more distant, leading to an increase in dropout rates.
Law and Order and Media Freedom
Chakraborty also highlighted internal conflicts among ruling alliance partners, corruption allegations, and what he described as a deterioration in law and order. He claimed that even though the Chief Minister had raised serious allegations against an ally, no effective action had followed.
He alleged police inaction in incidents involving attacks on journalists, threats within court premises, protests outside newspaper editors’ residences, and blockades on national highways. Calling for unity to protect the “fourth pillar” of democracy, he urged citizens to stand up for press freedom.
Appealing particularly to the youth of the indigenous community and peace-loving citizens of the state, Chakraborty urged them to carefully consider the issues before making future decisions.
