INPT
supremo Bijay Kumar Hrangkhawal has always been in media headlines over
the past two decades of Tripura’s eventful history. His decadelong
(1978-88) stint as supreme leader of erstwhile TNV rebel outfit made Hrangkhawal a familiar name in media at home and abroad.
Having bidden ‘farewell to arms’ in August 1988 by signing a peace
accord Bijay Hrangkhawal became leader of TNV,turned into an overground
political party and then MLA from Kulai constituency in Dhalai district
in 1998. But controversy continues to dog Hrangkhawal even now as
evident from the reaction of the state government to his speech
delivered in an international convention of Working Group of Indigenous
Population (WGIP) at Geneva in the last week of July. Even though he
confronts a host of charges from state police Hrangkhawal’s
interpretation of his speech makes it look positive and devoid of any
controversial content. Despite his preoccupation with organizational
work in the context of upcoming assembly election Mr Hragkhawal took
time off his hectic schedule to reply to the questionnaire
furnished by
www.tripurainfo.com.
Q.No.1.
Your recent speech in
Geneva created commotion in the state. The particular points that
relate to Right to Self determination for the tribal people and terming
the terrorist acts not secessionist at all are being questioned. How do
you explain that terrorist outfits, who are demanding “independence
from Indian Colonial rule”, are not ‘secessionist’ and how do you
relate their demand for ‘sovereign Tripura’ as right to Self
determination as mentioned by you?
Hrangkhawl : First of all, I want to clarify that, my written speech delivered at Geneva is nothing personal. The text was drafted and approved by the party. Thus the entire views are of my party, the INPT. Right to self determination does not necessarily mean independence. It means over all development. In other words of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru ‘People should develop along the lines of their own genius’ . ‘Gram Swaraj’ the popular demand of Mahatma Gandhi was also to provide right to self determination to village masses. The constitution safe guards for the SC and ST under Article 16(4), 224, 224A, 330-342 and 343 recently incorporated in the Constitution of India vide 73rd and 74th Amendment are aimed to ensure right to self determination.
Q.No.2:
In your Geneva speech you
gave details of the census reports in Tripura but skipped the census
reports from 1901 to 1941. Why is it so?
Hrangkhawl: Census report of 1901 was incorporated with a view to review demographic pattern of Tripura hundred years ago. The party did not feel necessary to incorporate decadal Census Reports of subsequent period
Q.No.3: You said that Bengali employees and Intelligentsia pressurized Maharani Kanchanprava to merge with Indian Union. But the fact is that Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya had sent his representative Girija Shankar Guha to Constituent assembly a month before his death. Besides, Maharani Kanchanrava Debi signed the instrument of accession on 13.08.1947 making Tripura a part of the Indian union and the regency council comprised only one Bengali Hindu S.B.Mukhapadhyaya as advisor and the Maharani became the sole regent from January 12 1948, long 22 months before Tripura merged with India . Do not these facts prove your statement wrong?
Hrangkhawl
: It
is the view of my party, the INPT.
Q.No.4:
During
the past decade insurgency has emerged as the scourge of Tripura,
retarding the state's development and further decimation of the tribals.
Do you accept this fact and how can this be resolved?
Hrangkhawl : By way of assuring right to self determination to the indigenous people in letter and spirit
Q.No.5: There is no doubt peace talks alone can lead to a solution of the problem but it is also obvious that centre is not going to accept any demand of the militant outfits beyond the constitutional barriers. What can then be the basis of peace talks?
Hrangkhawl : There is no question of accepting any proposal out of Constitutional framework. Right to self determination of the citizens of India is very much constitutional and within the framework of the Constitution .
Q.No.6:
Don't you think that an
easier way to solution to the insurgency problem lies in a combined
initiative by all the political parties? The consensus at the political
level can persuade the militants to think positively and finally lead to
a solution ?
Hrangkhawl : It requires political goodwill. The INPT is ready to co-operate to state and Central government if sought for.
Q.No.7: Mr Hrangkhawl the assembly election is barely four months away. How do
you view the prospects of Congress-INPT combine in the election?
Hrangkhawl
: The
historic gathering of the 8th September, 2002 at state capital,
Agartala is a clear dictum for the coming days. The prospect of the INC-INPT is
bright.
Q.No.8:
There is reportedly difference of opinion on the number of seats the
alliance partners will share. How many seats does your party demand and
how can it be reconciled with the congress position?
Hrangkhawl
: Differences
of idea is there, even in the Left Front, NDA etc, regarding seat sharing and
other aspects. It is always solved sitting across the table. Number of assembly
seats required shall be determined by my party.
Q.No.9:
With
the state government filing an FIR against you under section 157 IPC,
and an agitation in the state , what is your comment on this ?
Hrangkhawl
: The
FIR is purely politically motivated action. Road blockade movement and its grand
success organized by INPT and INC collectively was the right answer of such
steps.
Q.No.10:
If you are elected in the next assembly election and become the Chief
minister, What would be your first task ?
Hrangkhawl
: It
is quite premature to offer any comment on this at the moment .