AGARTALA, Dec 16 (TIWN): Amidst tight security, the 12 hour strike called by IPFT has been observed in most of the tribal dominated areas on Wednesday. The tribal areas of the state are mostly responding to the bandh. However, IPFT leaders stated that the strike has disrupted the normal life in the state. The bandh call given by Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) is been observed in full swing in the ADC areas. Security has been tightened all over the state to prevent any untoward incident in connection with the twelve hour 'Hill Bandh' called by regional IPFT. Police sources here said that the indiscipline shown by IPFT workers and supporters while participating in rallies at Agartala on past two occasions gave clear indication that the party leadership could not be trusted to maintain order and discipline in their programme.The decision of the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) for ‘hill bandh’ on December 16 is strongly criticised by the leaders of the ruling left front party in the state. IPFT has called the 12 hour strike in ADC area in demand of separate states.It is to be mention here that after getting no response of forming a separate land for the indigenous people, the National Federation for New States (NFNS) comprising different movement groups including the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) has decided to adopt a new form of agitation – ‘hill bandh’ on December 16 for 12 hours.

However, the decision was strongly criticised by the ruling party and urged people not to follow the strike.

Delay in providing land to the tribal people, re-settlement of over 10,000 people in ADC land and above all, creation of a new state of the ADC –‘Tipraland’ are the issues which forced the IPFT people to go for a 12-hour bandh, according to the sources in IPFT.

The strike is not only be observed in Tripura but also in Kukiland, Dimaraji and Bodoland on the same day for constituting separate states under the sponsorship of National Federation for New States.

with the aim to strengthen its demand for a separate land to achieve ‘Twipra-land’ with areas under tribal autonomous district council to protect the rights and identity of Tripura’s tribal population, The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal based party is observing 12 hours bandh in demand for their separate land.

However, the ruling party is strongly against the decision of the hill bandh and said that IPFT is trying to fan the violence in the state in the name of strike.