People's Democracy

TRIPURA state committee of CPI(M) has resolved to step up the ongoing three pronged drive of politico-ideological campaign of the party, the counter insurgency operations of the security forces and the 25-point development programme of the state government to wean away the youth from extremism. It noted the positive change in the state scenario after adopting this drive. It has given a fervent call to intensify and accelerate the growing despair and dispersal of the extremist organisations of Tripura in order to steer the misguided youths out of their suicidal courage.

The state committee met on June 12-13 and deliberated on the situation. A press statement on the deliberations of the meeting was issued on June 14. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and chief minister Manik Sarkar had first presented before the state committee the evaluation of the national and international situation made in the last session of the party central committee.

The state scenario has undergone remarkable change for the better, with growing despair among the ranks of the extremist organisations, thanks to the ceaseless and multifarious propaganda campaign of the CPI(M), the Left Front and various mass organisations. The other main reasons were the cornering of the extremists by the crackdown of the security forces and by the intense anti-extremist hatred among the people, and at places combatant mood of the tribals, the worst-hit section of the state populace with extremist activities. The realization of the reality that insurgency is a blind rally, has led to the series of surrender of a sizeable section of the outlawed NLFT and ATTF extremists to the administration and the security forces over the last two months. They fled from their camps in Bangladesh territory with arms and ammunitions. The new situation has also resulted in quite a number of the extremist associate BNCT members also to surrender.

The extremist organisations have, however, been trying their utmost to carry out barbaric ambush of security personnel and innocent people to stem the tide of surrender of their rank and file.

The party has also noted with satisfaction that the ceaseless propaganda campaign of the Left Front against the NLFT protege IPFT-led Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) has emboldened men and women in ADC areas to increasingly participate in the meetings, mass deputations and conventions over the last two months. At the same time, the pro-people and transparent activities of the Party and the Left Front government and their sincere endeavour for comprehensive development of the state have weaned away several families from Congress, IPFT and TUJS to join forces with the Left Front camp. The Party has called upon the people and the security forces to expedite the erosion of extremism in Tripura with intensified drive, and called upon the people to step up a united mass movement in the state, as all over the country, against the central government’s series of attacks on the people’s life and livelihood.

The state committee has also resolved to make an all-out attempt to rally all sections of the state populace behind the common minimum programme of the People’s Front alongside intensifying the mass movement to resist the NDA government’s anti-people policies. It noted the massive enthusiasm created countrywide among the toiling and down trodden masses by the historic sixth straight win of the Left Front in West Bengal assembly elections of May 10. The victory of the Left Front in Banamalipur by-election in Tripura on the same day has boosted further the morale of the Left Front activists all over the state felt the state committee. It noted with satisfaction, that even while increasing the strength of the Left Front legislative party from 41 to 42, the by-election has frustrated the Congress bid for sympathy vote, and intensified factional feud in Trinamul Congress.