Six months after the signing of the tripartite Tiprasa accord, a delegation from the TIPRA Motha, led by founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, attended the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) in New Delhi on Friday. The JWG has been established to oversee the implementation of the accord.

Following the meeting, Debbarma announced on social media that a “historic process” had commenced, highlighting discussions with officials from the Union Home Ministry and the state government. He stated, “We had a thorough discussion on key issues and agreed to meet every two months to address the concerns of our Tiprasa community. Today, we spoke as a community, not just as a political party.”

The committee is chaired by A K Mishra, the Northeast advisor to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and includes Debbarma and TIPRA Motha president B K Hrangkhawl, along with key government officials such as the Tripura Home Secretary and the Secretary of Northeast Affairs.

The tripartite accord, signed on March 4 between the Union government, the state government, and TIPRA Motha, faced delays in implementation due to the subsequent announcement of parliamentary elections. On September 17, Debbarma informed his supporters that the MHA had initiated the formation of the JWG to facilitate discussions on the accord’s implementation, comparing the process to the prolonged Naga peace talks.

“Negotiations will take time, and we must remain steadfast,” Debbarma said, emphasizing the importance of discussing various issues, including land rights, economic development, scholarships for students, and infrastructure improvements.

Debbarma also hinted at potential internal conflicts within his party, cautioning against “selfish intentions” among some members who may seek to undermine unity. He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for the rights of the community.

The CPI(M) and Congress have yet to respond to the commencement of the talks. Previously, CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhary criticized the accord as an “election lollipop” from the BJP, referencing a similar accord with the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) that failed to yield results.

For years, TIPRA Motha has been advocating for “Greater Tipraland,” a separate state for Tripura’s tribal population, seeking increased powers for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and direct funding from the Centre, among other demands.

The signing of the accord followed a period of unrest, during which Debbarma initiated a “fast-unto-death” on February 27 to call for a permanent solution to the indigenous people’s issues. The accord aims to resolve matters related to history, land rights, political representation, economic development, and cultural identity, with the JWG tasked with ensuring timely implementation of agreed-upon points.

Shortly after the accord was signed, TIPRA Motha joined the BJP-led state government, but Debbarma has indicated that the party may reconsider its position if tribal rights are not addressed.