Borok People Being Treated Like Slaves and on the Verge of Extinction: Tripura People's Front to PM Modi

Agartala, October 15, 2019:

The Tripura People's Front, an organization of the indigenous people of the State, has appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to save the indigenous Borok people from extinction.

In a letter sent by the tribal body to the Prime Minister, the TPF appealed the PM to give attention to the issues of the aborigines of Tripura since the state's merger with India, more than 7- years ago, and demanded a solution from the country's leader.

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The organization intimated the Prime Minister that at the time of the merger, Tripura was divided into two kingdoms -- Hill Tipperah, and Plains Tipperah. And while the former consisted of indigenous people, the latter consisted of mostly migrants coming from East Pakistan. As per the 2011 census, only 26% of the residents were the original inhabitants.

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The TPF further informed that Tripura was a Kingdom ruled by Borok Kings for over 5,000 years, but became a part of Indian territory on October 15, 1949.

Lamenting the current state of the aborigines of the State, the TPF stated that the endless stream of migration has caused a "sudden change in demography" and the native Borok people are "treated as slaves" and are on the verge of extinction.

Stating that the aborigines, which number 93% at the time of merger, to only 19% now, the TPF further alleged that the Government is not doing anything to stop the illegal immigration.

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