Plan to Turn Tripura Royal Palace into Hotel Opposed

Agartala: Ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party’s (TMP), youth wing on Friday staged a massive protest opposing the Tripura government’s reported move to privatise the iconic Pushpabanta Palace and convert it into a five-star hotel by a private group.

Hundreds of men and women of the Twipra Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF), the youth wing of the TMP, demonstrators marched through the city and later gathered in front of Chief Minister Manik Saha’s residence, demanding an immediate rollback of the decision.

The protest rally, which began at Swami Vivekananda Maidan Stadium, saw the protestors chanting slogans against the state government.

The rally culminated at the Tourism Department office, where a delegation led by TISF in-charge James Debbarma and TMP MLA Biswajit Kaloi submitted a memorandum to the Tourism Director, urging the government to preserve the palace’s historical and cultural legacy. Tensions escalated when protesters learned that Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, in a press briefing at the state’s civil secretariat confirmed government plans to establish a hotel in the century-old palace.

In response, protesters diverted their rally to the Chief Minister’s residence, blocking important roads and raising slogans.

Police intervened, and the demonstrators dispersed peacefully but threatened to intensify their protests if the decision was not reversed. TISF leaders emphasised the cultural and emotional significance of the palace for the indigenous communities of Tripura. (IANS)

Also Read: BJP ally, Cong oppose Tripura govt's plan to turn iconic royal palace into hotel

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