AGARTALA, November 25 (TIWN): Criticizing the Indigenous People Front of Tripura (IPFT), Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said that the demand of the separate state - “Twipra Land” is a dangerous move and is totally unethical.

The demand of Twipra Land was raised by the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal based party in Tripura, aftermath of the formation on Telangana. The party has threatened vigorous agitations to achieve ‘Twipra-land’ with areas under tribal autonomous district council to protect the rights and identity of Tripura’s 32 per cent tribal population.

Ruling CPI (M) and main opposition Congress slammed the IPFT for trying to fan unrest in the State where ‘peace has returned after two decade long insurgency and ethnic turmoil. And on Monday Chief Minister Manik Sarkar criticised the separatist demand and said that The demand for a separate state carved out of Tripura was irrelevant. A section of tribal people were misguided by the slogan. He termed the slogan as conspiracy to vitiate the unity and integrity between tribal and nontribal people in the state.

However it is to be mentioned here that IPFT which is known as a hardliner party and often blamed for its alleged soft stance on extremist movements is clearly trying to woo the tribal society after years of political isolation. The party or its rival, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), an ally of Congress, hitherto failed to put any challenge to CPI (M) in tribal areas.