The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) Motha Party chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma on Tuesday declared that no political flag, including his own party’s would be allowed during the ‘hunger strike unto death’ starting on February 28 in support of the demand for constitutional solutions for the problems of indigenous people of Tripura.

He urged supporters to participate not as politicians or party workers, but as members of the Tiprasa community.

 “I want no political flags, not even Tipra Motha’s flag to be put up during our hunger strike. There will only be Tiprasa’s emotions. This is my message to all our followers, to come to the strike as Tiprasa and not a politician or party worker. This is a fight for Tiprasa and not any political party.”

 Deb Barma said, “I have been waiting in Delhi for the last 10 days to meet with representatives of the Central Government. We also waited last year. A K Mishra (representative of the Central Government) had also visited Agartala.”

“All the Samajhpatis, the returnees of ATTF, leaders of IPFT and Tipra MOTHA, along with representatives of the BJP, also shared their views with him. He had listened to our views and demands two times. I had also personally met him many times,” he said.

“Everyone is saying that it will be done, but when will it be done? We have no choice but to say that it will be done to the poor people but when?” he added.

 “Till there is no constitutional solution, we will be forced to deal with various matters” Deb Barma said.

 He said that 95 per cent of the people are indigenous in the state of Tripura only. “Till now, they don’t have their land, not any land patta. All are residing in the forest land, which is government land (Khaas land)”.

Announcing an ‘indefinite hunger strike until a ‘permanent solution is announced’, Barma stated, “I will fast to death till I get something respectable either from the Congress or from the BJP. Whoever is willing to help us, we will talk to them.