Baishya Kapali Samaj Delegation Meets Tripura Governor, Seeks Protection of Non-Tribal Rights in TTAADC Areas
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 7, 2026
A delegation of the Baishya Kapali Samaj and other social organisations of Tripura met Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum raising concerns over the social, economic and legal status of non-tribal people living in areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
According to the memorandum submitted to the Governor, the delegation urged the constitutional authorities to ensure that the rights and interests of non-tribal residents are not curtailed while considering any future changes relating to the administration, land and powers of the TTAADC.
The delegation said it has full faith in the State's reciprocal and pluralistic culture and emphasised that people belonging to different communities are equal citizens of India and should receive equal protection of their lawful rights.
One of the principal demands raised in the memorandum was reconsideration of the existing delimitation of the TTAADC area. The organisation argued that the present geographical distribution of the ADC does not correspond proportionately with the state's population distribution.
The memorandum claimed that a large section of the state's non-tribal population lives outside the TTAADC area, while a substantial portion of the population residing inside the ADC area is also non-tribal. The organisation therefore sought a review of the existing arrangement.
The memorandum referred to the geographical and demographic imbalance as a reason for seeking reconsideration of the present TTAADC boundaries.
The delegation also raised the issue of protection of non-tribal land and property rights within the TTAADC area.
According to the memorandum, a number of non-tribal families were displaced from different parts of Tripura during periods of extremist violence and lost their land and property. The organisation listed several areas, including Kalyanpur, Champahaur, Baganbazar, Asharambari, Banbazar, Chailengta, Maynama, Gandacherra, Salema, Takharjala, Gabardhi, Gulaghati, Ampi, Taidu, Silachari and other locations, where it alleged that affected families had been displaced and, in several cases, had not received adequate rehabilitation.
The organisation urged the authorities to examine the cases of such displaced families and consider appropriate rehabilitation and protection of their lawful property rights.
The memorandum also referred to Section 187 of the Tripura Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960, arguing that the existing legal framework places restrictions on the transfer of tribal land to non-tribal persons.
The organisation said that while transfers between tribal persons may be permissible under applicable law, transfer to a non-tribal purchaser requires prior permission from the competent revenue authority. It urged that any further changes to the land regime should take into account the interests and lawful rights of non-tribal residents.
The memorandum further requested that the legal framework governing land in and outside the TTAADC be examined so that the rights of different sections of the population remain protected.
The delegation also highlighted what it described as the social and economic backwardness of non-tribal people living within the TTAADC area.
It appealed for measures relating to healthcare, education, drinking water, electricity, road connectivity and other basic services for such residents.
The organisation also stated that it has been working for the upliftment of poor and deprived sections of society in Tripura and urged the administration to extend assistance without discrimination.
According to the representatives who met the Governor, Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu assured the delegation that he would take up the issues raised in the memorandum with the State Government at the earliest.
The delegation said the Governor assured them that the concerns regarding the rights and interests of non-tribal people in TTAADC areas would be brought to the attention of the State Government for consideration.
The assurance comes amid continuing debate in Tripura over the powers of the TTAADC, particularly questions relating to land, administrative authority and implementation of demands for greater autonomy. The issue has gained further attention following recent political discussions over strengthening the ADC's powers.
The demands raised by the Baishya Kapali Samaj come against the backdrop of the special constitutional framework applicable to the TTAADC under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The framework provides special protections and powers concerning tribal areas, including matters relating to land and administration.
At the same time, questions concerning the lawful rights of long-standing non-tribal residents have also emerged in public debate. Recent discussions in Tripura have highlighted the need to examine land rights, documentation and residential security of non-tribal families while maintaining the constitutional protections applicable to tribal communities.
The delegation has therefore urged the Governor and the State Government to adopt an approach that, according to the organisation, protects the constitutional safeguards of tribal communities while also ensuring that lawful rights of non-tribal residents are not adversely affected.
The memorandum was submitted by Ashim Sarkar, President, Baishya Kapali Samaj, Tripura State Committee, along with representatives of other social organisations.
The Governor's reported assurance to take up the matter with the State Government is now likely to bring the issues raised by the delegation into the broader administrative and political discussion surrounding the future functioning, land regime and constitutional role of the TTAADC.
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