"Why Only Talk About PoK?": Tipra Motha Founder Slams 'Historical Blunder' in Partition
Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma calls the loss of Tripura's historical territories a historical blunder and demands border security.
Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, the founder of the Tipra Motha Party, has sparked a significant conversation regarding India's territorial history, labeling the failure to integrate key portions of the former Kingdom of Tripura as a "historical blunder." In a candid assessment, Deb Barma questioned why national discourse on reclaiming lost territories is almost exclusively focused on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), while the losses in the East are largely ignored.
The 'Lost' Territories of Tripura
Deb Barma asserted that before the partition of 1947, there was a clear decision to become an integral part of India. He claimed that both the Maharaja and the Rajmata were prepared to merge the historical territories of the Kingdom of Tripura with the Indian Union. However, he argued that the Central government of the time failed to push for the inclusion of these areas, which then became part of East Pakistan.
According to the Tipra Motha chief, this lack of decisive action has had long-term strategic consequences. He pointed out that the Northeast remains geographically isolated and landlocked today because these territories were not secured.
"The Government of India, for whatever reason, did not include parts of East Pakistan, which today could have been very beneficial for our state, our Northeast, and our country," Deb Barma stated.
Missed Opportunities in 1971
The founder further lamented that a second golden opportunity was squandered during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He noted that with 90,000 Pakistani soldiers in Indian custody at the time, the government had significant leverage to negotiate the return of these inseparable historical lands. However, no such negotiations took place, leaving the region's geographical challenges unresolved.
While clarifying that he does not wish to cast political blame on specific individuals, he emphasized that the reality of the Northeast's isolation is a direct result of the government not pressing hard enough to acquire territories that rightfully belonged to India.
Urgent Call for Border Security
Turning his attention to current security threats, Deb Barma reacted strongly to a recent attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Ashabari. He urged the government to take a stern stand and "teach a lesson" to those attacking security forces to prevent future escalations.
He warned that if cross-border smuggling is not dismantled now, the perpetrators could evolve into larger anti-national threats. He called upon all political parties, regardless of their affiliations, to unite against the menace of smuggling.
- Drug Trafficking: A critical threat to the youth of the Northeast.
- Cattle Smuggling: A persistent issue along the border.
- Human Trafficking: A grave violation of human rights.
- Goods Smuggling: An economic drain on the region.
Using a stark metaphor, Deb Barma warned the political class: "If we feed milk to a snake, that snake will bite us one day."
Stepping Back from Organizational Roles
In a surprising revelation, Deb Barma also discussed his decision to step away from active organizational roles within the Tipra Motha Party. He clarified that this move is motivated by a desire to prioritize his health and speak more freely and independently for his people.
He reflected on the meteoric rise of the party, which started with just two or three members and has now grown into a political force with:
- 13 MLAs
- 24 MDCs
- 4,528 elected members in village councils
Deb Barma maintained that he never entered politics for financial gain, stating that "God has given me everything," and believes the party is now robust enough to sustain itself without his direct organizational leadership.