Guwahati, July 30: The Tipra Motha footmarch, a 2,500-kilometre-long protest march that began in Tripura, entered Assam this week, drawing attention to the deepening infiltration crisis along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The party, led by Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, aims to highlight the alleged demographic change in Tripura and demand constitutional rights for the indigenous people.
The footmarch, which started in South Tripura earlier this month, passed through key tribal belts and border regions. As it entered Assam’s Karimganj district, Tipra Motha supporters received support from local leaders and civil society groups concerned about cross-border migration.
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March Focuses on Border Infiltration
The Tipra Motha footmarch has been designed not only as a symbolic journey but also as a political mobilization tool. Party leaders claim that massive illegal infiltration from Bangladesh has changed the ethnic balance in Tripura, putting the indigenous people at risk of becoming minorities in their own land.
Speaking at a public meeting in Karimganj, Pradyot Debbarma said, “This march is not just about numbers. It’s about our existence, our identity, and our rights. Infiltration has become a silent war. The Centre and state governments must act.”
He added that infiltration has diluted land rights and welfare schemes meant for the indigenous population. According to the party, the march aims to pressurize both state and central governments to implement stricter border monitoring and to grant constitutional safeguards under Article 244(A).
Support Grows Across Northeastern States
As the Tipra Motha footmarch moves across states, it has started attracting attention from other indigenous groups in the Northeast. Local leaders in Assam, including activists from Barak Valley, voiced their support for the movement.
Assam’s indigenous groups also face issues of land alienation and demographic shifts due to undocumented migration. Many believe the problems affecting Tripura are slowly expanding across the entire region.
In Mizoram and Meghalaya, student bodies and community groups have expressed solidarity, hinting at a potential coalition of tribal interests across state lines. The Tipra Motha leadership is leveraging this momentum to build a wider narrative around the need to preserve indigenous identity in the face of systemic neglect and migration pressures.
Tripura’s Demographic Crisis
Tripura’s demographic structure underwent drastic changes post-Partition and especially after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Indigenous communities, once a majority, now constitute roughly 30% of the population.
Tipra Motha argues that the Centre’s failure to protect Tripura’s borders and implement a population policy has intensified this crisis. They demand full implementation of the NRC (National Register of Citizens) in border districts and better surveillance of infiltration routes.
While opposition parties in Tripura acknowledge these concerns, they criticize Tipra Motha’s confrontational style. The ruling BJP, on the other hand, claims that adequate steps have already been taken to secure the border.
Political Implications in Tripura
The timing of the Tipra Motha footmarch is critical. With upcoming by-elections and local polls, the march serves as a strategic move to consolidate the tribal vote base. The party has gained substantial influence in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and is now pushing for a wider political footprint.
Political analysts suggest the footmarch could shape the upcoming election narratives by forcing parties to address indigenous issues more prominently.
“We’ve seen how this march has reignited political conversations in tribal areas. If the government ignores it, they’ll be seen as dismissive of genuine public concerns,” said a senior political commentator in Agartala.
Government Response So Far
So far, the Tripura government has remained cautious in responding to the Tipra Motha campaign. Officials stated that border fencing and surveillance had been strengthened, and infiltration cases were under control.
However, the Assam leg of the march may draw more media attention and force authorities to issue official statements. No law-and-order disturbances have been reported yet, but local police in Karimganj have increased monitoring of rally points.
Home Ministry officials in Delhi have not made any direct comments about the footmarch. However, sources suggest that the Centre is watching the developments closely, especially in the context of similar protests planned by other tribal groups in Delhi later this month.
Looking Ahead: The Final Destination
The Tipra Motha footmarch is expected to culminate in New Delhi in the first week of September. The party plans to submit a detailed memorandum to the President and the Home Minister, listing demands including:
- A separate state under Article 3 of the Constitution
- Constitutional protection under Article 244(A)
- Immediate halt to cross-border infiltration
- Implementation of NRC in sensitive border regions
As the Tipra Motha footmarch travels further, it continues to amplify long-standing grievances of tribal communities, particularly around identity, land, and survival. Whether or not the government yields to its demands, the march has already succeeded in drawing national attention to a crisis often pushed to the sidelines.
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