What is Greater Tipraland ?
The political parties and several tribal outfits in Tripura have joined hands together with TIPRA Motha(Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance; Motha meaning Party/Group) to boost their demand for a separate state for indigenous people in Greater Tipraland.
Origination of Demand:
In the late 13th century, Tripura/ Twipra, a kingdom ruled by Manikya Dynasty until merger agreement by signing of Instrument of Accession (1949) with the Indian Government. The demand stems from the anxiety of the indigenous communities in connection with a core change in the demographics of the state( being reduced to minority). The displacement of Bengalis(between 1947-1971) from erstwhile East Pakistan(i.e Bangladesh; present day). By 2011, the population of the tribals was down to 31.08% from 63.77% in 1881. The joint forum has also pointed out that the indigenous people not only face demographic change but also ethnic conflicts along with dislodging from their own land(penultimate of king Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman) reserves.
The Main Demand:
TIPRA Motha is demanding a separate state of “Greater Tipraland” for the indigenous communities of Tripura. They want the center to carve out a separate state under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Provisions for a Separate State :
Article 2: The Parliament may by law admit into Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. States like Sikkim became part of India Under Article 2.
Article 3: It empowers the Parliament to make laws for the formation of new states and alteration of existing states.
