Fight against militancy: Hoda pledges support to Tripura Govt

AGARTALA, February 8: The Hoda (village council), a powerful apex body of the Jamatiya tribe, today pledged its support to the Tripura Government in fighting militancy in the state. Addressing newspersons, Hoda chief Bikram Bahadur Jamatiya said, "We will not allow any outfit be it National Liberation Front of Twipra or All Tripura Force to destroy peace in our community. The Hoda would not also tolerate any attempt by the political parties to persuade Hoda volunteers just to satisfy their political hunger," he warned. The Hoda leader was referring to the statement made by a section of the press that the Hoda volunteers had been lured by political parties so that the vote banks in the tribals can be exploited in the hilly areas. "In our 411 years of existence, we have seen many parties come and go, but we managed to maintain our distinct identity," the Okra (Hoda chief) said. The Okra also blasted the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council rulers for their attempt to jeopardise the peace efforts initiated by the Hodas.