AGARTALA, Sep 8 (TIWN): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has slammed IPFT on International Literacy Day-2017 for its divisive policy and slogans of 'Bideshi Hatao'. Addressing at Rabindra Bhawan the Chief Minister said, "Religion, Community all are your personal choice. Practice them at homes but when you are in a society such should thinking not be preached". However, the Chief Minister himself is also responsible for the division among Tribal and Bengalis, as in 1992 as the CPI-M State Secretary Manik Sarkar said, "Bangladeshis must be kept in refugee camps and identify as foreigners". But on Friday at Rabindra Bhawan, Sarkar condemned the divisive policies.

"UNESCO knew that communalism will hit the world and the present condition of Tripura is also nowhere different. We all should stand against such narrow politics", said Sarkar.

 The double-face of Manik Sarkar has been exposed from his 1992's anti-Bengali statement when he was the Secretary of State CPI-M which was in opposition against ruling Congress. In his own signed statement what Manik Sarkar not only called for Bengali Hindus expulsion to Bangladesh but also demanded inner permit card for Bengalees entering into ADC areas. Manik Sarkar said, "Tribals who were 70 % of the population, during Maharaja's time have now come to 23 %...the 'Bangladeshi foreigners' have started silently invading the TTADC...if this process is not stopped forthwith the Tribal identity itself will be in danger". This statement was placed by Manik Sarkar before CPI-M state committee on 26th Feb. 1992 that further led by Manik Sarkar saying, "During last 48 months, Tribals got tremendously frustrated because they can not place their confidence on the Govt (Congress Govt), which started an undeclared war against the tribal minorities...".

With the sole aim to break communal harmony and defeat ruling Congress, Manik Sarkar also said the following : 

1) Inner permit must be introduced for Bengali entry to maintain the majority of the tribals TTADC areas.

2) MTF (Mobile Task Force) must be recognized with Assam Rifles to prevent to further infiltration from Bangladesh.

3) Bangladeshi foreigners must be identified & they must be kept in camps.

4) Central Govt must seal Tripura-Bangladesh border.

However after coming in power after 1993, Manik Sarkar didn't feel it necessary in his long 24 years of regime for Inner permit or Border security, whereas without VISA, Passport even Jihadis are also staying happily in state.

But on World Literacy Day CM not only opposed the Tiparland idea but also challenged for overcoming the tensed situations of Communalism in state.