HT Correspondent
AGARTALA, Aug 5: Tipra Motha Party founder and royal scion of Tripura Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Tuesday had demanded immediate Village Council (VC) elections in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), calling the delay a denial of constitutional rights.
Speaking ahead of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Pradyot urged people to celebrate their identity by wearing traditional attire and cooking indigenous meals on August 9.
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But this year’s celebration will also carry a political message.
Tipra Motha has announced torchlight (Homchang) rallies across the state on August 9 evening to press for VC polls, which are yet to be scheduled by the State Election Commission.
“You can belong to any party, but not holding elections in the villages is a denial of your rights,” Pradyot said.
The Village Councils, which come under the Sixth Schedule, are important for local governance and tribal self-rule.
A central event will be held at Khumulwng at 3 PM on August 9, followed by torch rallies at 6 PM in all block headquarters, led by Tipra Motha’s local units.
“This is not just a party issue. This is about the voice of the people being silenced,” Pradyot added.
