People's Democracy

TRIPURA

Haripada Das

THE Tribal Youth Federation (TYF), an affiliate organisation of the DYFI, organised a huge youth rally of tribals in Agartala on December 14, 2008. TYF held the rally calling upon the youth to resist extremist outfits still active in the state and to ensure speedy implementation of the development projects undertaken by the Left Front government. Expectedly, the youth braved to attend the massive rally defying threats of the extremists in many places. The tribal youth from northern part of the state along with conventional vehicles, this time attended in large numbers using rail service, which is a recent gain of the historic and prolonged democratic movement of the people of the state. A large number of tribal girls took part in the rally. Three big youth processions from different directions marched to the ground receiving cheers from the roadside spectators along the streets of Agartala town. The participants were determined to put an end to extremism in the state and carry on the developmental schemes undertaken by the Left Front government which could not be implemented earlier due to extremist onslaught.

Radhacharan Debbarma, TYF president, presided over the public meeting. Manik Sarkar, Polit Bureau member of CPI(M) and chief minister of Tripura addressing the rally said that no law, however strict it may be, would contain terrorism unless the youth sections of the country are motivated against it, given jobs and sustainable, equitable development is ensured. Admiring the organisers for taking up the most appropriate slogan to serve the need of the hour, Manik Sarkar said, in Asian continent, terrorism was bred by US imperialists which patronised Talibans to dethrone Nazibulla in Afghanistan. This Taliban forces turned Frankenstein and became a menace not only to US but to the world community as a whole. Referring to the national situation, Manik Sarkar expressed high concern over inclination of a section of armed forces towards the communal elements like VHP, Bajrang Dal as revealed in the Malegaon blast case. He also criticised the Congress party who pursues soft Hindutva for narrow electoral dividends. The Congress party, which indulges in tall talk against combating terrorism in Delhi, does not feel ashamed to come to an electoral alliance with INPT in Tripura, which is known to be over-ground political wing of the outlawed NLFT (MB) extremist group in Tripura. What does it signify at the national level, Manik Sarkar questioned.

Explaining the socio-economic background which was used by the anti-national vested interests to motivate a section of the youth to the wrong path of terrorism, Manik Sarkar said, we are not trigger happy to gun down our own boys, and at the same time, in no circumstances, we can compromise with our national integrity. Manik Sarkar argued that, the proposed National Investigation Agency may not be a panacea to contain terrorism, unless the basic needs of the people, particularly the problems of health, primary education, housing, drinking water, employment generation, communication, electricity, irrigation etc., are not addressed by the centre. He also highlighted modernisation of police forces for combating the terrorists.

Referring to the October 1, 2008 serial blasts in Agartala , Manik Sarkar said, it has been proved that the string behind blasts has extended to the hands of ISI and CIA. So, it is anticipated that as long as they exist, extremism shall continue to exist in one or the other form. He advised the TYF workers to keep in touch with each and every tribal youth including those who are still with opposition camp and to carry on the campaign against terrorism because, the extremists in Tripura are alienated, but still not extinct.

Tribal Welfare minister Aghore Debbarma reminded the inhuman barbaric repression meted out to the tribal community in the state during the thirty years of Congress rule and five years of Congress-TUJS jungle regime during 1988-93. Narrating the plight of the tribals in those days, he said, they had no right on their ancestral land, had to lead a nomadic life, had no right to constitutional reservation, forest department was the hunting dog, always chasing the tribals. Their crops were looted by dishonest traders, they had no school. The extremists are vainly trying to bring back those days.

Radhacharan Debbarma said, Tripura would have progressed manifold, but for the extremist depredations for decades. The performance of the Left Front government, defying the extremist obstructions, for the upliftment of the tribals and rural development was admitted and highly admired even by the central government, he said.

Other speakers who addressed the rally were TYF general secretary Pranab Debbarma and DYFI state secretary Tapas Datta. CPI(M) state secretary Bijan Dhar, state Finance minister Badal Chowdhury, ADC chief executive member, Ranjit Debbarma and state DYFI president Tapan Das were on the dais.