IPFT, TUJS merge to form anti-Left front

AGARTALA, Feb 8 — In a significant development in the Tripura politics, two powerful tribal parties, IPFT and TUJS formally announced their merger and emergence of Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura Thursday. Former militant leader Bijoy Hrangkhawl who had dissolved his Tripura National Volunteers and joined the IFT has been made the first president of the INPT. TUJS general secretary Rabindra Debbarma was made general secretary of INPT. The vice-presidents are Nagendra Jamatia and Debabrata Koloy while the assistant general secretaries are Amiya Debbarma, Ananta Debbarma and Sridam Debbarma. Ratimohan Jamtia has been made treasurer while a new post of assistant treasurer was created in which Ramani Debbarma was accommodated. So far 22 members of the 31-member committee has been elected. The leaders of the new party on Friday in a press conference, demanded that Centre should appoint an interlocutor to negotiate peace deal with the Tripura militants like Nagaland. “We demand political solution to the militancy problem of the State,” said Rabindra Debbarma. Bijoy Hrangkhawl said if any offer from the State Government comes officially to him to start peace talks with the militants, he would take the offer. But it should be an official offer, he said. The INPT leaders in their first press meet, said that the electoral alliance forged with Congress by the two previous components of the party would continue. “We would continue our fight against the misrule of the CPI(M) in the State,” said the INPT leaders. The emergence of the INPT in the Tripura politics is considered a formidable development in view of the militancy problem. So far the anti-Left politics in the hills was divided into two parties — IPFT and TUJS, now it would consolidate into a solid block — INPT. While on one hand, the NLFT militants are training guns at the CPM cadres in the tribal areas, the emergence of INPT with a support of strong political base of TUJS and other behind the curtain power of IPFT, is sure to give the ruling Marxists a sleepless night.