AGARTALA, Dec 16 (TIWN): As expected the unruly IPFT supporters once again turned violent on Wednesday as hundreds of IPFT workers and supporters had gathered in front of the ADC headquarter at Khumlung to put into effect the 'bandh ' by picketing. A total of 200 picketers were arrested from different spots for violating the situation at the ADC hamlets. However, sources said that about 4 people injured in a tussle in the ADC areas. It is also alleged that the CPI-M supporters tried to ransack the situation and got into tussle with IPFT picketers and left them seriously injured.To press higher for their demands, the IPFT has called for 12 hour strike in the ADC areas in demand of separate Twipra land. Even though the employees and officers of ADC had gone to the office through a different route, the IPFT supporters raised slogans and sought to break by the police and TSR force.However, a major scuffle and a mild lathi-charge in which four IPFT workers were massively injured and more than 200 were arrested by police. The sources said that injured IPFT supporters are immediately rushed to AGMC. The injured are now undergoing treatment at AGMC hospital. It is to be mentioned here that so far no more untoward incident in reported. IPFT has called the 12 hour strike in ADC area in demand of a separate state. Resentment also brewed at Raishyabari area, Sabroom, kalyanpur, Monubonkul, and other interior of the ADC areas across the state.However, the decision was strongly criticised by the ruling party and urged people not to follow the strike.

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.

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.

Along with Tripura the strike is also observed in Kukiland, Dimaraji and Bodoland for constituting separate states under the sponsorship of National Federation for New States.

Once again IPFT is trying to fan unrest in the State where ‘peace has returned after two decade long insurgency and ethnic turmoil. IPFT which is known as a hardliner party and often blamed for its alleged soft stance on extremist movements is clearly trying to woo the tribal society after years of political isolation.