Mobile internet and SMS services had been suspended first for 48 hours starting December 10 and then extended for another 24 hours. Several companies of Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) were deployed across the state and specially in sensitive areas of North Tripura and Dhalai district. Though there have been intermittent reports of protests and clashes, casualty figures cannot be confirmed.
Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman, scion of the erstwhile Manikya royal family of Tripura, explains the reasons behind the anti-CAB sentiments in the state telling reporters, “Tripura has always offered refuge to the persecuted. Before independence, the King of Tripura offered help to those affected by the Bengal famine. We again threw our doors open to those escaping violence during the Noakhali riots in 1946. Rajmata Kanchan Prabha Devi offered shelter to refugees in 1948. This tradition of offering refuge and help has continued over the years with the effect that now the population of original inhabitants of Tripura is down to 30 per cent and 70 per cent of the people in the state are outsiders!”
Deb Barman is also considering legal recourse against the Citizenship Amendment Act. On Thursday Deb Barman met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the situation.
Told him we are going to SC against CAB as we cannot compromise! No retreat no surrender ! https://t.co/x0DziTmasG
— Pradyot_Tripura (@PradyotManikya) December 12, 2019
Amit Shah also met with a delegation from the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPTF) that is an ally of the BJP in the state. He also held a meeting with representatives of the Joint Movement Against CAB.
Met with delegations of IPFT and Joint Movement Against CAB from Tripura and discussed their concerns over CAB. Modi government will try to solve their issues in a positive way.
I thank them for their appeal to maintain peace and call off the strike. pic.twitter.com/v9DUieriZN
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 12, 2019
Meanwhile, Deb Barman dismisses allegations of being anti-Hindu and reiterates the state’s commitment to showing compassion to those in need. It is also noteworthy that it was Deb Barman who ensured that Bru refugees in the state’s refugee camps were given food and other supplies after the deadline for their repatriation to Mizoram passed. In fact, it was he who wrote to Amit Shah to appeal for their rehabilitation within Tripura itself.
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