Tripura: IPFT Members Shave Heads to Protest CAA, Demand 'Tipraland'

Agartala, January 15, 2019:

Members of the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), continuing their indefinite protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill at Khowmulwung, the headquarters of the tribal areas autonomous council, shaved their heads.

This unique protest, that is being led by IPFT MLA Brishketu Debbarma (representing Simna in West Tripura) marks the continuance of the indigenous party's demand of the scrapping of the CAA, and the leaders of the party, which forms the ruling coalition with the BJP, have urged the Government to scrap the controversial legislation.

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No less that 10 IPFT activists tonsured their heads in view of the public at the rally that is being held in Khowmulwung. The party workers, who cast off their clothes, also painted various messages on their bodies.

Prominent among those demands are the implementation of an Assam-like NRC and the rolling back of the CAA which is seen as a threat to the indigenous peoples' culture, language, and identity. The protesters also reiterated their demand for a separate state for the indigenous people (Tipraland) through messages painted on their bodies and slogans.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, MLA Brishketu Debbarma said that it was a “unique protest” to make the Government hear what the indigenous tribals wanted to convey.

It may be mentioned here the protests are part of indefinite stir called by the ruling ally IPFT against the contentious act.

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