Agartala: Normal life across Tripura was disrupted on Wednesday as the Tripura Civil Society enforced a 24-hour state-wide bandh demanding the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord, introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
Protesters blocked key roads and intersections in Agartala and over 45 other locations across the state, staging demonstrations that brought public transport and commercial activities to a standstill. The organisation announced that picketing would continue for the full 24-hour duration of the bandh.
Leading the agitation, Tipra Motha Party MLA Ranjit Debbarma accused the state government of failing to act on the Central Government’s directive to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi nationals.
“The Tripura Government has not taken any steps, unlike Assam, Haryana, or Delhi, which have acted against illegal Bangladeshis,” Debbarma told reporters. “We are demanding that those living illegally in Tripura be identified and deported.”
He also slammed the delay in enforcing the Tiprasa Accord, signed 18 months ago, stating that no progress had been made despite repeated assurances. “The accord was meant to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities, but the government has remained silent,” he said.
Among the other demands, the protesters called for the introduction of the Roman script for the Kokborok language, a proposal that Debbarma said had even been raised in the Tripura Assembly without response.
The civil society group further sought action against individuals allegedly using fake Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates, while urging the state government to forward a formal proposal to the Centre for introducing the ILP system in Tripura.
As demonstrations spread across multiple districts, transportation and daily life were severely affected, with the bandh continuing into the evening amid tight security arrangements.
