Pradyot Kishore Debbarma Questions AMC Eviction Drive, Claims 60% of His Agartala Land Is Illegally Occupied

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 18, 2026

TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Monday criticised the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) over its recent eviction drive against street vendors, alleging that the civic body is taking action primarily against economically weaker sections while failing to act against alleged illegal occupation of his family’s properties in Agartala.

Speaking during his visit to Nandanagar in Agartala, Debbarma claimed that nearly 60 per cent of his land in Agartala was under illegal occupation by various people. He questioned why the municipal authorities had not taken effective steps to remove those allegedly occupying the land, while eviction drives were being carried out against street vendors and poor people trying to earn their livelihood.

Debbarma’s remarks came during his visit to Nandanagar, where he met women vendors who were recently evicted by the AMC. He listened to the vendors’ accounts of the loss of their livelihood and the difficulties they are facing following the eviction.

Describing the affected vendors as women from indigenous communities, Debbarma said they were selling vegetables to support their families and earn a livelihood with dignity. He argued that the administration should adopt a more humane and people-centric approach while dealing with such livelihood-related issues.

Criticising what he described as selective enforcement, the TIPRA Motha chief said municipal authorities should not target only those who are vulnerable or economically weak. He questioned the apparent disparity between action against street vendors and the alleged failure to address illegal occupation of land belonging to others, including his own family.

“Why is action being taken only against the weak, street vendors and poor people?” Debbarma questioned, while highlighting his claim that a substantial portion of his land in Agartala remains illegally occupied.

During the Nandanagar visit, Debbarma interacted with the evicted women vendors and heard about their financial losses and concerns over their ability to support their families. He appealed to the administration to ensure that future enforcement measures do not deprive vulnerable sections of their livelihood without adequate consideration of their circumstances.

Earlier in the day, Debbarma addressed a TIPRA Motha party meeting at Manikya Court, where he spoke about the welfare, rights and dignity of indigenous people.

The latest criticism is likely to intensify the debate over the AMC's ongoing enforcement and eviction activities in Agartala, particularly concerning the balance between removing encroachments, regulating street vending and protecting the livelihoods of economically vulnerable residents.

Debbarma maintained that development and civic regulation should go hand in hand with sensitivity towards ordinary people, asserting that indigenous communities deserve respect and livelihood opportunities rather than being subjected to eviction without a humane approach.

Pradyot Kishore Debbarma said the Nandanagar Eviction Victims was given Rs. 10000 each as an compensation from TTAADC administration.

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