Convention against ‘eviction’ from forest areas, people formed a new organization

A Correspondent

Agartala: Agitation against possible eviction from forest areas of the State is gradually gaining ground as many aggrieved people recently formed a new organization – Tripura Land Right Protection Movement Committee – to spearhead the agitation.

The organization was formed in a convention held in Agartala Press Club on August 14 where people from different walks of life participated. Prominent among them are former MLA and president of the Tripura National Conference Animesh Debbarma, former head of the now-disbanded militant outfit, the All Tripura Tiger Force, Subash Deb and general secretary of the Tribal Students Federation Sunil Debbarma.

Nandita Reang and Rajesh Kumar Debbarma have become joint secretary of the newly formed committee. They said the committee is not affiliated to any political party and their agitation will remain confined only against the eviction of tribals from forest areas.

They alleged that the State Government, based on a Supreme Court order, has already started preparation to evict large number of tribals from the forest areas of the State. They said recently a notice has been given to over 2,500 families of Gandachera that their petition for land right (patta) has been rejected. A similar preparation is going on in Kumarghat areas also.

They said if the Supreme Court order is implemented, over three lakh tribal families will be evicted from forest areas in the State which can’t be tolerated at any cost.

Also read: Eviction Drive Along Railway Tracks From Guwahati Railway Station To Bharalamukh