Agartala clashes: 17 injured as tribals demand 'Twipra land', a separate state for themselves

Agartala: At least 17 people were injured in clashes between supporters and activists of Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) and local residents in different parts of Agartala on Wednesday, police said. [caption id=“attachment_2015669” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AP[/caption] “A group of people from the procession of IPFT attacked some persons at the heart of the town at Kaman Chowmuhai and ransacked some shops and set some vehicles on fire, apparently without provocation. The incident resulted in clashes and at least 17 people, including women were injured,” SP (police control room) Uttam Bhaumick said. Soon after the incident, DGP K Nagraj and SP (West) Abhijit Saptarshi rushed to the spot. A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces brought the situation under control, he said. Bhaumick said in one place the police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the unruly crowd. The IPFT, a tribal based party, took out a procession in the city on Wednesday, demanding ‘Twipra land’, a separate state for the tribals by curbing out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) from the state. The tribal council constitutes two third of the state territory and is home to tribals who form one third of the population. The ruling CPI(M) condemned the activities of IPFT supporters and alleged it was a “preplanned conspiracy to disrupt the communal harmony of the state”. “IPFT is trying to disrupt the communal harmony since long. Today’s incident was a preplanned and aimed at breaking the communal harmony and peace in the state. We appeal to all to maintain peace and calm,” the party said in a statement.