NEDF and CRA condemns Tripura assault
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 24 2016:
The North East Dialogue Forum and Centre for Research and Advocacy (NEDF and CRA), Manipur has strongly condemned the assault of indigenous Borok people by the dominant Bengali community on August 23 at Agartala.
The attack occurred during the Tripura Land Demand Day of the Indigenous Peoples' Front of Tripura (IPFT) when many indigenous people of Tripura had gathered at Astable ground, said NEDF and CRA in a statement.
The dominant Bengali community attacked the indigenous people during a rally organised by IPFT throwing bottles and pelting stones in which many were injured.
What made matter worse was the act of the Government of Tripura in imposing a ban on the media from covering the incident, said the statement and added that this was undemocratic and undermined the freedom of expression.
The partisan role of the law enforcing agencies in failing to protect the indigenous people is also condemnable, it said and urged the Centre and Government of Tripura to stop the attacks and protect the rights of the indigenous Borok people.
All those responsible for the attack including police personnel who did nothing to stop the attack should be pulled up, said NEDF and CRA.