People's Democracy

TRIPURA

TSU Holds Seventh Conference

Haripada Das 

INTERNAL vested interests and the forces backed by international mercenaries must be pushed to utter alienation through intensive ideological campaign and organisational endeavours to maintain the current pace of developmental activities in the state. And in this sphere, TSU (Tribal Students Union, an affiliate organisation to SFI in Tripura) must have a big role to play, said chief minister Manik Sarkar in a rally at Khowai town, on the occasion of the TSU’s seventh central conference on February 10, 2007. The chief minister urged the TSU to launch struggle against the antinational militant forces that stand in the way of the progress and development of the state, which is needed to achieve success in expanding the student movement and for the betterment of the academic environment.

The rally was attended by the youth of all communities besides students. Parents and guardians also attended the rally from the surrounding areas of Khowai town and adjacent villages. The entire area was reverberating with slogans and the procession of the tribal students from different directions culminated at the rally ground. 

Recalling the background of inception of TSU, Manik Sarkar said, while separatist militant forces patronised by the vested interests are misguiding the tribal students and youth by fomenting ethnic hatred and secessionist venom, TSU played a creditable role in mobilising the tribal students with the democratic mainstream and to counter these separatist forces, ideologically and organisationally. 

Referring to the state’s developmental activities, chief minister said, Tripura has abundant resources both human and natural. But what were lacking so far were the communications and infrastructure. And at present these are fast growing up. If we would be able to maintain the current pace of development, Tripura would soon be an advanced state in the North Eastern region. Government, ADC, panchayat, nagar panchayat – all elected bodies, are collectively working with a common aim i.e. upliftment of the poorer sections, Manik Sarkar informed. 

Ritabrata Banarjee, joint secretary of SFI central committee spoke of the measures taken by the Left Front government for expansion of education and attaining total literacy in the state. He criticised the commercialisation of education policy adopted by the central government. 

Prior to the open rally, the inauguration of the TSU conference began with the flag hoisting by the president Parikshit Murasingh. Tributes to the martyrs column were paid at the lawn before Ramdhan Tripura Manch, the conference hall at Khowai Town. 

Following the open rally, the delegate session was initiated by Aghore Debbarma, chief executive member, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and thereafter secretary Chandrahansa Jamatia presented the political-organisational report for discussions. Altogether thirty delegates took part in the discussions. Most of the delegates highlighted the need for upgradation of the present standard of education, restoration of educational environment in the areas where functioning of schools had to be suspended due to extremist onslaughts. The delegates voiced strong resolve to eliminate the anti-national extremist forces and expose the international mercenaries patronising them.

Aghore Debbarma in his speech said that the so called fake tribal champions now stand as major obstacle to the socio-economic development of the tribal people. In the name of opposing the Left Front and particularly the CPI(M), the anti-left opposition parties are conniving with the anti-national extremists. So it is the patriotic duty of the tribal students to carry on stronger political-ideological campaign to eliminate extremism. Niranjan Debbarma, secretary, GMP and Jitendra Chowdhury, Tribal welfare minister and GMP leader also addressed the conference. Resolutions were passed demanding 10 percent allocation of total budget, in favour of enhancement of autonomous power of the ADC through amendment of constitution, urging for re-election of the Left Front in the next year’s Assembly election, incorporation of Kokborok language in the 8th schedule of the constitution, resolving to protect ethnic amity in the state frustrating any kind of provocation and giving a clarion call to the misguided extremist youth to join the mainstream for building a new Tripura. 

The conference unanimously elected 51-member central committee and 17-member central secretariat with Ranjan Debbarma and Amulya Debbarma as general secretary and president.