TTAADC is a bridge of Integration

The Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said in public meeting addressed at Chailengta on 13th February 2016 that the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council(TTAADC) is a bridge of integration for the people of all communities and claimed that TTAADC has been their(CPIM) plea for the sons of soil in Tripura. It is right the in TTAADC all communities including the Bengalis reside since its formation. The truth was Communist Party of India(Maxist) was reluctant to be in favour of TTAADC under 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Tripura Upajati Juba Samity began to demand creation of Autonomous District Council(ADC) comprising of Tribal areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India by launching severe movements in Tripura since 1967. The GMP which is a tribal based unit organization of the CPI(M) in this State remained silent spectator for 12(twelve) years since 1967 on the issue of ADC. The then Chief Minister realized the relevancy of ADC in 1978. He told Mr. Harinath Debbarma, the then MLA & others that something needed to be done about formation ADC in Tripura. This regional political party  It was Tripura Upajati Juba Samity(TUJS) - a regional political party - a stunt supporters of tribal cause for whom the parliament had to amend (49th Amendment) the Constitution of India in 1984. On the historic day, the Member of Parliament; namely; Ajoy Biswas and Bajuban Reang was absent in the house of the Parliament for its voting and passing; yet Mr. Manik Sarkar is claiming that they were instrumental for the Sixth Schedule. The CPI(M) has been claiming with glory that they were champions in demanding and achieving it. They had hijacked it just by their claims and do not want to share the achievement of it. The fact of the matter was Indian National Congress(INC) could not even have a single MLA in Tripura Legislative Assembly in the General Election to Tripura Legislative Assembly -1977. There was a great setback for the national party. In order to have a footing in the State, Late Indira Gandhi, the the Prime Minister and Congress President assured the TUJS leaders for consideration of implementation of the Sixth Schedule for the tribes in Tripura with a precondition that the TUJS should pre-poll alliance with the Indian National Congress. This was a solid rock on which the provision of Sixth Schedule was implemented in Tripura by 49th  amendment of the Constitution of India in 1984; which came in to effect from 1st April, 1985. 

The Subjects(Tipras & Other Tribes) of Independent Tripura: Once majority & now minority: The Outcome thereof

In the local daily fË¢ah¡c£ Lmj (Pratbadi Kalam) dated 24-07-2015 with the caption "BC¢fHg¢V, j¡Jh¡c£ l¦M­a ­N¡fe °hWL ¢VHpB­ll" (meeting of TSRs  held in camera to counter/halt  IPFT & Maoists). The caption appears to be so simple but implications of the content of the said news have our grave concern. IPFT is a registered regional political party with the Election Commission of India. It carries out peaceful democratic movements through out the State of Tripura since 2009 A.D demanding statehood of TTAADC areas under Article 3 of the Constitution of India. The IPFT has full faith in the Constitution. Today, India is world's biggest democratic country. Tripura State is part of India wherein the present ruling CPIM Government hatched a meticulous plan to eliminate IPFT leaders by using TSR armed forces in an imaginary encounters or fake encounters. No sensible Government can do this. This is a war declared by the State Government against all tribes in the State to make them mute to demand their legitimate constitutional rights. Once upon a time, they were majority in the State. They are minority today for they had demanded rehabilitation of refugees on humanitarian ground who came to Tripura from East Bengal after partition in 1947 and birth of Bangladesh. In short, this was the historic reason as to how the tribes of Tripura were reduced to minority. This historic reason has made us to sacrifice for the refugees of those days curtailing their futures. The humanitarian values of these tribes in Tripura has no value for the people who belong majority today. On the strength of being majority and holding the clutch of all administrative machinery and powers, they have forgotten as to how the people belonging to tribes of Tripura demanded for their shelter in the State. In exchange of their humanity of these tribes, the lives of IPFT leaders are facing the risks of elimination. Before farther analysis of the content of the said news, it is needed to be translated for your kind reference. The copy of the news as a clipping is enclosed herewith for reference. However, the content of the said news caption is reproduced below by translating in to English:-

To cripple IPFT completely, the State Government (i.e; Tripura Government) is contemplating/planning/intending to engage TSR forces for action. An emergent meeting was taken by Shri T.B Roy, IGP(TSR) with 13 Commandants(TSR) at Headquarter of 2nd TSR  Battalion on 23-07-2015(Thursday). The discussion in the meeting held from 04:30 P.M & lasted till 08:30 P.M. A news has been received, the high leaderships of ruling party and its  ministers perceived that the rapid gaining ground of Maoists organization in the State and IPFT's gradual impact in the State could be put to a halt through and only through the use of barrels of guns. TSR personnel are preparing to eliminate active IPFT leader(s) by practically resorting to in the name of the word "encounter" as and when it would be necessary. A news has been received, the environment of extremism in the State has to be brought back to an extent shortly. Thereafter, the IPFT and Maoist leaders could be contented through suppression and oppression; to the extent of eliminating them (as and when thought to be required) by misuse of TSR forces in the name of containing extremist problems. This is why, today's emergent meeting is held. The ruling party(i.e CPIM) was dependent on hill people and hill tribes since its inception. The leader  Kankdwip movement in West Bengal, late Nripen Chakraborty was exiled in Tripura who realized Marxism could be seeded(inculcated) as just like jhum cultivation ideally amongst the hill people/tribes. Gradually, the red soil of the hill areas turned to be red flagged foundation of the Marxism. For which CPIM party of this State has been having a good result for a long time. Now, IPFT is gaining ground rapidly, their leaders are having a good relationship with Delhi; this has put the CPIM in a fix. In the mean time, IPFT has declared that they are gathering 1(one) lakh supporters in the capital as a showcase. Having heard it, a numbness feeling of the Melar math (CPIM's headquarter) has begun mounting and it will not demount. They(CPIM) have set aside the matter of countering IPFT through their organizational forces. Because, they are immersed in to unfathomable corrupt practices. So their organization is eroding in different areas. There is a lone reason, people have become fearful of the leaderships or the lower strata leaders of CPIM are not agreeing to be committed in their activities. Therefore, the ruling party in Tripura wants to resort anxiously to the use of administrative machinery to destroy/eliminate IPFT. It is said that for this reason, an emergent meeting with TSR Commandants was convened. Persons with accusations, who could not be arrested in connection with old cases to be unearthed or against whom such cases are pending shall be arrested with a view to harass  or suppress/oppress them or even a new concocted cases to be instituted - has been decided/resolved in the meeting. In spite of these steps, those(IPFT leaders) who will remain non-subdued  or will not succumb to these pressure, they will be put behind the bars by branding them as extremists or TSR will eliminate them under the cover of the word "encounter". Encounter, the term is not a new issue in the State. In Tripura, to counter increasing extremists menace in the last decade, the police and TSR personnel resorted to such numerous encounters. It did fetch a good result. One such exemplary area was Takarjala ( under Jampuijala Sub-Division, Sipahijala District). Like Tamil extremist LTTE carried out parallel administration in Jaffna of Srilanka, likewise NLFT extremists' organization had their influence  at Takarjala area was part of the then West Tripura District. Police personnel conducted a numerous encounters to free Takarjala. Some police officers had to become martyr. Recently, Maoist organization's activities has increased. The Mao leaderships of Jharkhand have started their activities in Sadar North tea garden areas. One of the senior columnists in the State is one amongst top leaders. They narrate the plight of tea garden workers as to how they are oppressed and deprived of rights; with this form of persuasion arms have been handed over to the unemployed youth like Bhagirath and Ananta. On 05-07-2015, Pratibadi Kalam(fË¢ah¡c£ Lmj) informed in its published news that as to how two Bolero Vehicle loaded arms has arrived here at Krishnapur Tea Garden area. The news so published that Maoist Organization may kidnap an MLA or a minister. The group was planning for Kidnap of Pranab Debbarma, MLA. The State Government has made Shri T.B Roy, IGP(TSR),in-Charge for countering Maoist activities, the sources said. In summary, ruling party has expressed their confidence in the power of arms to eliminate the top political leaders of IPFT and Maoists.

In the local daily fË¢ah¡c£ Lmj (Pratbadi Kalam) dated 24-07-2015 with the caption "BC¢fHg¢V, j¡Jh¡c£ l¦M­a ­N¡fe °hWL ¢VHpB­ll" and translation thereof, it is obvious that the CPIM of Tripura being in the ruling party in State Administration does not believe in democratic peaceful movements as enshrined and guaranteed in the Constitution of India. As a result, they want to crush the peaceful movements of moments of IPFT by eliminating its leaders committing a fake encounters and bringing back extremists problem like situation to an extent in Tripura for the fault(!!!) of their just demand for elevation of  TTAADC in to “Tipraland” as homeland under the Article 3 of the Constitution of India. The key players for the purpose will be TSR Commandants of all 13 Battalions under the leadership of Shri T.B Roy, IPS, IGP(TSR). This shall be State sponsored heinous crime being meticulously planned to be committed upon all the rank and file of IPFT leaders. A war has been declared by the Home Minister; and in other words the Chief Minister, Tripura. It implies that the whole administrative machinery in the State  shall wedged against them. This is unfortunate that the attitude of the Government reflects towards the weaker section of State who had given all what they had for their(refugees) rehabilitation. Today, they are pushed to the edge of bank for their existence.

 Secondly, the State Government has the duty and responsibility to protect the lives of all citizens and their properties. IPFT is demanding TTAADC to be a homeland in the shape of Tipraland under Article 3 of the Constitution of India through and only thorough peaceful democratic movements. This demand is not illegal and unconstitutional. Yet they are termed as “Separatist” and “Communalist”. Above all, GMP of CPIM is spreading in the air that demanding TTAADC in to a separate state will invoke communal disharmony and even lead to communal riots. “Separatists” means who all intend to cessation from India. IPFT’s Demand for Tipraland is not a demand for cessation and it is very much within the framework of the Constitution of India. Tripura is in India. The present and the past rulers in State ( after 15^th October, 1949 ) has/had been ruling on behalf of India and can not rise above the provisions of the Constitution of India.

There is no question for eruption of communal disharmony. The tribes of Tripura has set an glaring example of harmony in the country when refugees from East Bengal after partition and after Bangladesh War. Our people have given up all these things as a mark of humanity and on compassionate ground. The Jyrwa of Andaman is extinct by now. No political parties raise their voices for their cause. The last speaker of their language died in 2012. With this Jyarwa community’s journey came to an end. We stand up for our cause; raise our issues and we are are as communal. By branding us as communal, the ruling CPIM party is committed to suppressed our rights as guaranteed in the Constitution of India itself.  We are not communal for this is our cause of 19 tribes(84%) interest and 16%  non-tribes of total population live in TTAADC areas. The terms, “communal riots” is often pronounced by the GMP, TYF & TSU of CPIM in the State. They are willfully spreading it. The CPIM is spreading it; although they are supposed to be responsible ruling party in the State. We have not heard any other political parties to have propagated on communal riots for pricking the sentiments of non-tribes. This is CPIM’s own creation in the State.

Thirdly; the most noteworthy is that the Government of Tripura is allotting khas land in TTAADC areas and 35000 non-tribes have been illegally permitted to occupy forest land stating that they will not be evicted. The main objective of the ruling CPIM in power is to reduce the tribes in ADC areas in to minority aiming at dissolution of TTAADC in near future. Rather, as earliest as possible, they intend to achieve it. Once this is achieved, the tribes shall wanderers in their own land and find one day in the situation of Andamanease like extinction. 

Fourthly; Tripura is the part of the land in India. Any Government which is unable to run in conformity with the provision of the Constitution; is treated to be break down of the Constitutional machinery and the law of the land should take its own course. The Government of Tripura in which CPIM is ruling; does not have faith in the Constitution of India wherein guarantee of the rights on peaceful democratic movements for their betterments is assured. But the ruling CPIM and Government of Tripura are hatching a war against all rank and file of IPFT leaderships for their elimination by engaging TSR in the name of encounters.

Fifthly; the demand for Tipraland is not the demand that we are asking from the Government of Tripura and it do not have competency to grant it. This is the matter to be considered by the two houses of the Parliament in the country.

                                     

Ancient tribe becomes extinct

Ancient tribe becomes extinct

The members of 19 tribes till date are unable to believe that they might extinct like many other communities or tribes in world today. They were reduced to 23%(actual) in 1991 and the over reporting was 28%. They were 80% in Tripura State before it merged with India on 15th October, 1949. If the tribe(s) of Andaman who inhabited there for 65,000 years could extinct by 2010, it would not be impossible that the 19 tribes in Tripura will face the same. The day is imminent. These 19 tribes are reduced to microscopic minority by getting outnumbered due to the result of the partition of India as the refugees of East Pakistan ( erstwhile East Bengal ) who were sheltered in the State of Tripura by the Government of India from 1947 to till the birth of Bangladesh in 1971. The independence of Bangladesh could not stop illegal uninterrupted influx even after 1971 and till date. The Bo in Andaman who inhabited 65,000 years but are extinct today! Can Government or is there any instrument legally or otherwise prevent such extinction? Does the so called civilized people in the world today have any plan to make them survived? Let us read the report of  Harmeet Shah Singh, CNN, February 5, 2010 -- Updated 1514 GMT (2314 HKT) which is reproduced below:-

"This was so far from records and off the records.  of The last member of an ancient tribe that has inhabited an Indian island chain for around 65,000 years has died, a group that campaigns for the protection of indigenous peoples has said.

Boa Sr, who was around 85 years of age, died last week in the Andaman islands, about 750 miles off India's eastern coast, Survival International said in a statement.

The London-based group, which works to protect indigenous peoples, said she was the last member of one of ten distinct Great Andamanese tribes, the Bo. "The Bo are thought to have lived in the Andaman islands for as long as 65,000 years, making them the descendants of one of the oldest human cultures on earth," it noted. With her passing at a hospital, India also lost one of its most endangered languages, also called Bo, linguists say. "She was the last speaker of (the) Bo language. It pains to see how one by one we are losing speakers of Great Andamanese and (their) language is getting extinct. (It is) A very fast erosion of (the) indigenous knowledge base, that we all are helplessly witnessing," read an obituary in Boa Sr's honor posted on the Web site of the Vanishing Voices of the Great Andamanese (VOGA) project.

"Boa Sr was the only speaker of Bo and had no one to converse with in that language.

Project Anvita Abbi, a professor at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, met with Boa as recently as last year. "She was the only member who remembered the old songs," Abbi recounted in her obituary.

"Boa Sr was the only speaker of Bo and had no one to converse with in that language," Abbi told CNN. Her husband and children had already died, the linguist said. Other than Bo, she also knew local Andaman languages, which she would use to converse, according to Abbi.

Boa Sr was believed to be the oldest of the Great Andamanese, members of ten distinct tribes. Survival International estimates there are now just 52 Great Andamanese left. There were believed to be 5,000 of them when the British colonized the archipelago in 1858. Most of those tribal communities were subsequently killed or died of diseases, says Survival International. The British also held the indigenous tribes people captive in what was called but none of the 150 children born there survived beyond two years of age, an Andaman Home, according to the group. Boa Sr also survived the killer Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

She recorded in Bo what she saw when the giant waves arrived. "While we were all asleep, the water rose and filled all around. We did not get up before the water rose. Water filled where we were and as the morning broke the water started to recede," reads a translation of her tsunami narrative posted on the VOGA Web site.

Activists are expressing alarm over her death. "Boa's loss is a bleak reminder that we must not allow this to happen to the other tribes of the Andaman islands," Survival director Stephen Corry said in the statement. Andaman and Nicobar Islands authorities put at least five tribes in their list of vulnerable indigenous communities.

According to Corry's group, the surviving Great Andamanese depend largely on the Indian government for food and shelter and abuse of alcohol is rife. Among the tribes are the Sentinelese, who inhabit a 60-square-kilometer island. Officials believe the group is probably the world's only surviving Paleolithic people without contact with any other community. They said the Sentinelese are very hostile and never leave their Island. Very little is known about them".

Tiprasa's history( in Part)

Tiprasa's history( in Part)

Do we have had our history? Many tribes might not be having history. In order to own a history, a race must have its territory. Without territory, a race can not establish identity. Without territory – a race is no race. It is not a matter of meanness. A race may be small with its small territory. This was done with a purpose-to demolish or erase Tipperah history in totality. But ask the any member of Tipprasa, the extent of their knowledge on. Almost everyone would be blinking their eyes.

Why is the study of history important for us? The reasons for study of history is important for us because:

(a)   it helps us to understand the past;

(b)   it helps us to understand the present in relation to the past;

(c)    it gives identity and helps us to understand culture, society etc.; and

(d)   it helps us to be responsible citizen and improve our present.

With the explanation of the above importance on study of history, the Maharaja Bir Bikram Welfare Society was established in 2010 AD to uncover and unearth Tipperah history and sensitize on the issues. Tippras have history like any other races in the world. They had territory in the past and they do have a territory of their own. Races without territory is wandering race without a boundary of areas to live in. A country less race is a race without right of self rule. A self rule does not necessarily mean cessation from the country in which they live in. A self rule also means that rule themselves within the framework of the constitution of the country in which they do live as a ordinary citizens therein.

Tipperah Kings was one of the oldest sovereign State in Indian sub-continent. Tripura constituted with hilly and plain land area and was ruled by 184 kings. The historian assessed that she had her existence since 3000 B.C having boundary: Burma ( presently Mynmar ) in the East, Sundeban in the West, Kamrup in the North and Bay of Bengal in the South. The hilly part was known as Hill Tipperah or Tripura. The plain land was Chakla Roshnabad. The term “Tipperah” had  more affinity with Kokborok pronunciation than “Tripura”. The plain area of Tipperah was fertile and was source of income out of agriculture produce.

The Mughal invaded Tipperah and made plain Tipperah (Chakla Roshnabad) part of the Mughal empire in 1628 A.D. The fundamental cause was it was fertile land. Henry Vansittart(1760-1764) was Governor of Bengal when Siraj Uddulla took over Chakla Roshnabad, the plain portion of Tipperah other than Hill Tipperah.

The British rule came through the East India Company and engulfed all princely States in India. As a result, Plain Tipperah (Chakla Roshnabad) was captured by the British rulers in 1765 A.D.  The period of rule by the foreign rulers (other than Tiprasa Kings) ruled over Chakla Roshnabad  in both the first and subsequent occupation was 320 years.

When India’s freedom movement was at highest momentum Maharaj Bir Bikram had foreseen the future of his five communities called “Pancha Tripuries” namely; Tripura, Jamatia, Reang, Noatia and Halam. The resultant was reservation of land for them in to two spells in 1931 and 1943. The total land so reserved was 2060 square miles.

The cut off date in this regard being 15th August, 1947. But the base year should be till 15th October, 1949, the date on which Tripura merged with India. Therefore, Chakla Roshnabad was in all respect beyond the administrative orbit of Tipperah Royal Administration for 322 years. The Ministry of Home, Government of India issued Tripura Administration Order dated 15th October, 1949 which stated that all royal laws which was in force prior to the merger with Indian Union shall continue to be in force till replaced by new laws. This was particularly applicable to the matter of land reservation made by Maharaja Bir Bikram for Pancha Tripuries. The TLR & LR Act, 1960 was enacted by the Parliament in 1960 with giving effect from 21st September, 1960. The royal laws especially “Reservation of land for Pancha Tripuries.

The Tipperah Kings were made Zamindar in respect of Chakla Roshnabad. As the term suggests, the Zamindar was not more than a tax payer by whom he was conferred zamindary. The Tipperah kings enjoyed sovereignty with respect to Hill Tipperah and was mere zamindar for Chakla Roshnabad. Hence, the kings were also subject Zamindar of the actual ruler. The subjects of the Chakla Roshnabad were subjects of Mughal in first instance and of the British rulers till 1947. They ceased to be subjects of Hill Tipperah for 322 years till 1949. The Chakla Roshnabad was no longer part of Tipperah or Tripura. Besides, it was not re-incorporated or re-embodied with Tipperah or Tripura at the time of the Redcliff Commission was making demarcation with the principle of Muslim and Hindu majority would be with Pakistan and India. One could arrive at, was that Chakla Roshnabad had in totality become a part of Bengal in British ruled India. It would be natural that they preferred to be with either of Bengals in India or in Pakistan.

 Bir Bikram Manikya was born on 19th August, 1907. His coronation to the throne was in 1923. He visited foreign land including European  countries. This had led him to have sketched of planned Agartala City. Perhaps, it is still available in government archive. He established a host of educational institutions in Sub-Divisions including Maharani Tulsibati Girls’ School, Umakanta Academy and Maharaja Bir Bikram College with earmarking of a land area for educational purpose in and around MBB College as Vidyapattan. But people had already encroached the land reducing it smaller and smaller frustrating its purpose. Had not the people been encroached the land, the present Tripura (a central) University could have been established there.

The Bengali beneficiaries of Bengal during the rule of Maharajas in Tipperah:-

1. Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya conferred an honour “Bharat Bhaskar” upon  the Poet Rabindranath Tagore.
2. Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya sanctioned 50,000 silver coins in favour of Pandit Ramnarayan Bidyaratna for subsequent edition of Srimatbhagabhat Granth.
3. In 1299 Bangabda, “Bhanga Bhasha O Sahitya” was printed by Dr. Dinesh Chandra Sen with the financial assistance sanctioned by Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya.
4. Dr. Dinesh Chandra Sen was sanctioned as grants by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya after death of his father Late Bir Chandra Manikya. The last granth “Brihat Babga” of Dr. Dinesh Chandra Sen was printed with the financial grants sanctioned by the last Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya. Dr. Dinesh Chandra Sen wrote ‘Tripurar Raja O Rajatvakaler Barnana’.
5. Poet Hem Chandra Bandyopadhyaya attained blindness at the fag end of his life and had suffered from gigantic financial problem. On the request of Rabindranath Tagore, Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya sanctioned him (Poet Hem Chandra Bandyopadhyaya) till his death.
6. Jyotirindranath Tagore (brother of Rabindranath Tagore) published news paper called ‘Sangeet Prabeshika’ @ Rs.50/- ( Rupees fifty ) was sanctioned as grants for 10(ten) years in favour of Jyotirindranath Tagore for publication of the said news paper.
7. Scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose was sanctioned grants for his scientific researches. Besides, wathui wah with proper preservation was sent to him for his research works.
8. Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya bought oil paints of renowned artist Shashi Kumar Hess at Rs.3000/-(Rupees three thousand) only

There was a big zamindary of Maharajas of Tipperah since 1761 A.D. It included greater Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet and Chittagong. This was a fertile land with fetching high  revenues from yields. This areas was invaded by Mughals and subsequently, the British rulers had taken over from Mughal rulers. Since the Maharajas of Tipperah were made Zaminders in respect of Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet and Chittagong; the Maharajas had ceased to enjoy sovereignty over it. The Maharajas had become subject of British rulers. The subjects of zaminder in respect of Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet and Chittagong was also subject of British rulers. Therefore, Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet and Chittagong was under the British rulers. The people of Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet and Chittagong were subjects of the British rulers in India. As a result, the people of Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet and Chittagong could not claim to be the subjects of Tipperah Maharajas at no point of time in the past; the present and the future.

We have to learn from history-What was our history? What are we now? What is our learning from our history? Did we not inherit anything from our history? What is or should be our next course of action for our people at present and next generation to come?

Tripura was a Hindu Kingdom consisting of a strip of the fertile plains east of Bengal, and a large tract of the territory beyond, which had a reputation for providing wild elephants. At times when Bengal was weak, Tripura rose to prominence, and extended its rule into the plains, but when Bengal was strong the kingdom consisted purely of the hill area, which was virtually impreg­nable and not of enough economic worth to encourage the Muslims to conquer it. In this way Tripura was able to maintain its full indepen­dence until the 19th century. The origins of the kingdom are veiled in legend, but the first coins were struck during the reign of Ratna Manikya (1464-1489) and copied the weight and fabric of the contemporary issues of the Sultans of Bengal. He also copied the lion design that had appeared on certain  rare tangkas of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah I dated AH 849 (1445 AD). In other respects the designs were purely Hindu, and the lion was retai­ned on most of the later issues as a national emblem. Tripura rose to a political zenith during the 16th century, while Muslim rule in Bengal was weak, and several coins were struck to commemorate succesful military campaigns from Chittagong in the south to Sylhet in the north. These conquests were not sustained and in the early 17th century the Mughal army was able to inflict severe defeats on Tripura which was forced to pay tribute. In about 1733 AD all the territory in the plains was annexed by the Mughals, and the Raja merely managed his estate there as a zamin­dar, although he still retained control as independent King of his hill territory. The situation remained unchanged when the British took over the administration of Bengal in 1765, and it was only in 1871 that the British appointed an agent in the hills, and began to assist the Maharaja in the administration of his hill territory, which became known as the State of Hill Tipperah.   In 1920 Hill Tipperah received back its ancient name Tripura. In 1947 it became a territory of the Republic of India and in 1969 a state.

The Tribes of Tripura and the Role of Communists - Jiban Reang

The Tribes of Tripura and the Role of Communists

 By Jiban Reang*

(*This article written by him in bengali was published on 19-04-1992)

The Communists propagate vehemently making the Tripura royal and Congress rulers responsible for the present crisis that is being faced by the tribal people in Tripura. But Congress leaders do not oppose it or rather maintain silence over it. In fact, whether the royal rulers or the Congress leaders are really responsible for the crisis? What does the political analysis explain? When India attained independence in 1947, what was the condition of the tribes in other States? There were only three youths who passed metric in Tripura State. There was no school at all. They were the ruler of a full fledged State after 42 years of India’s independence. What was the status of Mizoram when the people of tribes in Tripura were under the rule of Kings? In regard to their right to education, economic and acquiring political rights. Comparably, Tripura had how many schools? What was percentage of educated people ? The answers to these questions could certainly be given by the tribal communist leaders. The last king and ruler of Tripura Bir Bikram was of the stature and with the personality of having political farsightedness in him at the time when he was a ruler of Tripura and India attained independence. On having analyzed the political situations, he (the king) took several steps for the protection of the people belonging to tribes of Tripura. He (the last king) knew that when India would attain independence, the powers and authority in terms of administration in India would go to the hands of the Indian National Congress(INC). therefore, he constantly maintained a liaison with all India Congress leaders. On the other hand, he organized the people of tribes in Tripura and constituted a political organization known as “Tripur Sangha” in order to retain political and economic powers in the hands of the leadership of tribes by merging it in to the Indian National Congress(INC). He declared reservation on land for the tribes. He issued arm license for their self defense to each and every households. Besides, many such other preventive steps were taken by him in the interest of his subjects. The so called Communists leaders who were unable to foresee outcome and who had knowingly committed blunders could not perceive the known result of the equation. Even though they are able to realize its effect, there is no other way out other than keeping silence due to the changed situation or they have no path to oppose it.

           

            What was the population in Tripura as per the account of statistics? The population of Tribes was about 600,000 (six lakhs), the Muslims were about 100,000(one lakh), the Manipuris were about 30,000(thirty thousands) and the Bengali Hindus were about 70,000(seventy thousands). The tribes followers of King and the tribal Communists leaders taken together could have had merged with the INC, perhaps then the administrative powers of Tripura would been vested in the hand of the tribal leadership. Actually the non-tribal communist leaders were able to persuade the tribal communist leaders that if they merged with INC; the leaders would be from amongst the educated tribes of town i.e; Agartala, the people belonging to tribes hailing from Hills would have no opportunity to lead. Till the time the people of tribes shall continue to be majority in terms of population; whosoever may be the part of any other political party, the control of political power would not be in the hands of non-tribes. This was the fact of the matter that could not be perceived by the then young and enthusiastic with full of vigor Dasharatha Deb and his followers; but the non-tribe communist leaders like Nripen Chakraboty, Biren Datta and others could rightly read the pulse of politics in Tripura. After premature and untimely demise of the last King Bir Bikram; all the people of tribes became followers of the tribal communist leaders. They did not simply become members of their party; it was only when a few hundreds of them were assassinated and intimidated for taming them. In other words, a civil war was imposed amongst the tribes. It was instigated by the tribal communist leaders with a intended purpose* that they knew well. There was no way out for its ventilation. Otherwise, they feared that their commitment of stupidity would come in to the light. This was the reason that the tribal communist leaders were responsible for the debacle and crisis faced by the tribes in Tripura at present. Yet they held the Congress responsible for arriving at the present condition. The Congress did never protest vehemently against this propaganda of the Communists and they prefer to maintained silence. The Congress in the saddle of State administration deprived the tribes of getting all benefits for them from the Government. On the other hand, the communists launched movement demanding food grains and stuff, sanction of financial assistance in the form of grants. They did not go in to depth of the fundamental problems as faced by the tribes and about what would be their future. There was some interlink and understanding between the Congress and Communists leadership in Tripura which could not be ruled out. In order that the tribal youths were not to be out of their clutch and control – to prevent them of being aware of their rights – for this reason an organization in the name and style “Shanti Sena” meaning “Peace Force” was formed enrolling thousands of tribal youths who wore red caps. Now, the Congress workers resorted to rigging of casting of votes with red caps on their heads on the day of poll which led to stoppage of wearing of red caps by Shanti Sena. This was the extreme disaster on the lives of tribes in Tripura. In totality, due to the blunders committed by the (gyanpapi)tribal communist leaders, the Congress leaders gained a ground. As a result of your commission of blunders we have benefited which needed not to be elaborated. This was the attitude of the Congress. If the matter as to how the Congress leaders had a gain is was shown pin pointing it, the tribes would be establishment of their rights and they would be under the clutch of the communists. Therefore, it was better to remain silent before the final and climax for striking the tribes to the extinct condition is reached. Because, the communists in the name democratic movements in a very tactical manner the people belonging to tribes in Tripura were distanced them from launching movements for their constitutional rights. So we could see those tribal communists leaders were the ushers of so called democratic movements who were praised with terms of adjectives like they are the bridge between the tribes and non-tribes or connecting leaders between tribes and non-tribes. What was the role of communists when movements were launched for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council(TTAADC)? No body knew black smithy and pottery “Da takna rwngya/ Twk takna rwngya” there was no need for demand of  TTAADC.  The Communists supported later on for the cause and need of their political  survival amongst the people of tribes. The issue had not sunk in to the oblivion chapter of the mind of  common men of the tribes. It was herd to have uttered by some blind communist tribal followers that our Mukti Parishad is the lone tribal organization which had been struggling for their rights for the last 47 years. It was also uttered by them that the population of tribes in Tripura was 70% before 42 years which is gone down at  21% at present. A question arises as to whether these communist leaders were blind folded for 42 years? Or they consumed  opium and remained insensitive on the matter. What was/is the usefulness or meaningfulness of such organization in existence? There is no doubt; this organization was/is made functional for their own selves  interest. When Left Front (of which CPI(M) is one of the partners) was ruling in the State, it was stated that the Chief Minister asked an educated tribal Congress leaders, “Do you also suppose to be shouting loud for tribes’ interest”?. The gentlemen kept himself silent when he was said so. The Chief Minister continued to utter, “ Either you be the Congressmen or be communist”. “There is no point of point shouting for tribes’ interest, the non-tribes are already 70%, is there any political future!”. But he entered in to Tripura just before 42 years when the population of tribes in Tripura was 70%. It was a matter of surprise that in a very tactful manner, the tribal communist leaders were put to work for his objectives and he made secure his generations’ political future. After a few days of the formation of alliance Government under the leadership of Mr. Samir Barman as Chief Minister, a political analysis written by one Debashish Thakur was published in which the connotation of it was that Dasharatha Deb was made leader of their Party over night was due to for capturing the power in administration as they could not apprehend its actual p outcome. In countering it, Nripen Chakraborty had written an article which was published in Daily Desher Katha and expressed that Debashish Thakur could not accept the making of a tribal leader in to a leader of left party. If  this post is filled up by a non-tribe leader, then Debashish Thakur and others would have nothing to say.  The tribes of this State were once 70% but they are only 20% today. To make one of their leaders as leader of  the party is a matter of great pride! Actually as to whether Nripen Chakraborty did really think for the interest of the tribes? Or whether in a tactful manner he engaged wittily himself in devastating or destroying the tribes! If the Left Front would have been really sympathetic, the period of rule for 10(ten) years of their party in power, could have vested 5 (five) years of it to the hand of Dasharatha Deb making him as Chief Minister. As to why this had not been made possible? In reality, he was the main spring for making the tribes extinct from the face of the land on which their 184 king ruled. To suppressed this truth, he had resorted to thousands of untruths  and falsehood. The population of tribes as they embraced communism which embedded them above the religion, caste, creed  and race. They were the members of the party for poor and down trodden people. Then why did Nripen Chakraborty came away to India after its partition? He was the Secretary of the Communist Party in undivided Bengal. He could have worked and preached for the down trodden poor people of East Pakistan (erstwhile East Bengal) which is presently Bangladesh. Communist leader Muzzafar Ahmed – being a Muslim he did not leave India for Muslim majority country Pakistan (Bagladesh). He preached communism and humanity in India itself. Like Nripen Babu and Jyoti Babu, manu Muslim leaders left India after partition for Pakistan and established politically themselves.  Who were the followers of humanity for down trodden people!! Were it Muzzafar Ahmed or Nripen, Jyotibabu and other communists. Did tribal leaders in Tripura realize it? Could you differentiate the face or musk of your dear friends? Dasharatha Deb in his politically analytic article, “Samantabader Matadarsher Biroddhe Lorai” which he wrote in the first week of February. There is no doubt that the content of article was mostly grounded on the truth. He intended to project himself that he was not responsible or part of the tribes’ setback and prove that he had done a lot for tribes. He had tried to prove by pin pointing that the Royal Rulers and the Congress were responsible and principal cause for debacle of the tribes in Tripura. But he could not succeed. In his writing (7^th Edition) , he was compelled to mention that the tribal leaders were made to remain used (by the Communist Party) in the name of ‘Democratic’ movement and inner ‘Party Discipline’ which proved to be detrimental to the interest of the tribes in Tripura. He made a mention of Late Hemanta Debbarma in his article. Had Hemanta Debbarma lived then whether he would have acceded that he was instrumental in working against the interest of the tribes? Certainly, he would not. Biren Datta and Mohan Choudhury made use of lone Late Hemanta Debbarma for establishment colony for rehabilitation of Bengali refugees in tribal areas like Burakha, Noktali, Kumaribil, Lefunga and etc. Dasharath Deb could not left out from being instrument like Hemanta Debbarma and swear for it by an affidavit. The truth was the interests of the tribes was jeopardized due to political awareness/consciousness amongst the people of the tribes that even Dasharatha Deb would not be able to disagree. Mohan Choudhury was Executive Secretary of the Party when Dasharatha Deb was the Member of Parliament. He wrote an indecorous letter (!) to Dasharatha Deb and the main issue of the letter was Dasharatha Deb was having a good relations with Jawaharlal Nehru; therefore, he (Dasharatha Deb) should have placed a demand to form a Legislative Assembly in Tripura. Dasharatha Deb was not doing so. The loyalty of Dasharatha Deb towards the Party was on the decrease. He would have to prove his loyalty placing the demand before the Prime Minister in getting a Legislative Assembly formed in Tripura. As to why his integrity was questioned although he was also member of the same Party! Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister of India and the Congress was the oldest and gigantic political party in India. Dasharath was popular tribal leader. It was not surprising that the Prime Minister would not like draw him in to his party. There was no doubt that Mohan Choudhury had written indecorous letter doubting his integrity. Because, had Dasharatha Deb joined the Congress then, the Communists would have been nowhere thereafter. It was heard from Dasharatha Deb who used to tell others about 25-30 years before from now, “ Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make me the Chief Commissioner of Tripura but I did not agree upon the proposal”. This is no longer heard anymore. Why does not he tell about it? No body knows. Late Bangshi Thakur (Amarendra Debbarma) told! Dasharatha Deb, “ Let us make an ally or extend our hand with Congress in Delhi and be in the saddle of State administrative power”. But Dasharatha said “No” with arrogance(!) to this proposal, “We will uproot the tree completely” i.e; we will oust them. All these words were uttered to us by Bangshi Thakur during his life time (that is before his death). Dasharath Deb might disowned it but his conscience would not permit him to disown. It would be seen from the analysis that the non-tribe voters cast their votes for two seats of Lok Sabha in favour of the Communist Party and in Legislative Assembly in favour of the Congress Party. Therefore, it can be concluded that Dasharatha Deb did not possess political consciousness even equivalent to the ordinary non-tribal voters. But this derivation would not be proper as seemed that he was in pursuit of his own gainful activities that he was woefully attracted. It is best known that he would avoid the above argument by enclosinghimself in an envelop of ideology that he professed. What is wretched conditions of the Communist ideology? Without having alternatives before the tribes for future as to why some tribal youths are crawling behind the mirage of Communist leaders! Perhaps! they are behind the allurement of becoming an MLA in place of their fathers for Rs.400 monthly emoluments. The History will not pardon anyone. I an a tribal communist, an active member of Mukti Parishad and I can foresee the future of tribes in the utter darkness. Will tribes be able to live with their rights in  Tripura? This is not only a question to myself and to many other activists-thinkers of Mukti Parishad. I could suggest two alternatives for the tribes in Tripura: One is “ Be  self sacrificed” ; and (2) the other one is, the provision of  “First Schedule under the Constitution of India should be introduced to Autonomous District Council”. If this demand ( the second alternative) is fulfilled, the devolution of the powers in a State to the people of tribes in Tripura. The tribes can participate or be a part of or merged with any nationalized political party in India. Some of the tribal youths have gone astray and taken up arms in their hands. They should rethink today. There is dissatisfaction in the minds of tribes. But to ventilate such dissatisfaction – taking up arms can not be the right way. In order to establish self rights within the frame work of the constitution of India, there should be launching massive awareness campaign amongst the people of tribes on the strength of democratic path. The people of tribes in Tripura can not separate themselves from 80 Crores of people of India. We should find out a solution to our problems within the frame work of Indian Constitution. Because thousands years from now,  we are deeply rooted with the cultures and tradition  of India. No body will de-accede it. The people of the tribes in Tripura can not be allowed to be extinct from the face of the world like it happens in case of birds and animals. The time has come for the tribal communist to deeply rethink and they can not escape from their responsibilities by merely blaming upon the Royal rulers and the Congress. They will have stand to give witness like an accused standing at the witness box of the history. But whether the people of tribes will be still in existence! The tribal Communist leaders had committed unpardonable blunders but nothing knocks at the door of their humanity and consciousness.

* This article was written in Bengali by Jiban Reang and published by himself on 19-04-1992. The translation in to English version is done by C . R Debbarma for facilitating the readers who are enthusiastic to know about the wretched conditions of the tribes in Tripura(India).