CPI(M) accuses Opposition of instigating tribals

Agartala, Feb 7 (UNI) The ruling CPI(M) today accused Opposition Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) of instigating a section of tribals to occupy the state government land near Raj Bhawan here.

Addressing a press conference, senior CPI(M) leader and party spokesman Gautam Das alleged that the INPT, along with Congress nominee from Matabari constituency in South Tripura Maharani Bibhukumari Devi, had instigated the tribals to occupy the government land.

He expressed concern over the issue and alleged that it was a conspiracy of the Opposition to create trouble before the Tripura Assembly elections, slated for February 23, and the Opposition had been trying to play the ethnic card on the issue.

Meanwhile, the administration imposed a prohibitory order to maintain law and order at the Malancha Niwas area, near Raj Bhawan, following alleged encroachment by some tribals on government land over the past five days.

According to reports, over 1,200 tribal families from different parts of the state had taken possession of the government land at Malancha Niwas area and begun constructing thatched houses on February two, which triggered tension.

''A good number of thatched houses and temporary sheds have already been set up illegally in Malancha Niwas and the occupation has spread upto the capital complex area,'' Mr Das said.

The land in question is also disputed, as a legal case between Rajmata Bibhu Kumari Devi and the state government over the ownership has been pending in the court. However, the tribal people from various parts of the state had already occupied the land, which was allotted for a Law college and state guest house.

Meanwhile, the occupants claimed that the land belonged to the royal family and they had been the victims of insurgency since the past one and half decade, but the state government was not able to rehabilitate them, which had compelled them to take possession of the Maharaja's land.

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