The IPFT, a partner in the BJP-led coalition government in Tripura, has called for 24-hour bandh in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) area.

The bandh has been called by the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) in support of their demand for a separate, Tripraland.

As the election to TTAADC is nearing, the IPFT has again raised the demand for a separate state.

While addressing a press conference at Agartala Press Club on Wednesday, IPFT spokesperson Mangal Debbarma announced the bandh in the ADC area with effect from 6 am on October 15 to 6 am on October 16.

Debbarma said: “We have called the 24-hour bandh in support of our demand for Tripraland.”

He said they also demand publication of the report of the high-level modality committee for addressing the socio-economic, cultural and linguistic issues.

The bandh has also been called seeking more power to the ADC with an amendment to the Constitution, he said.

IPFT and BJP jointly fought the 2018 Tripura Assembly elections and formed the coalition government.

The main demand of the IPFT was the formation of a separate state – Tripraland.

However, the BJP is not in favour of the demand.

As soon as the ADC election is nearing, political tension is on the rise in the hills of the state again.

The term of the TTAADC expired on May 17 this year. But elections could not be held due to the COVID19 pandemic situation.