[Reader-list] Interview of the Month - Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl (courtesy - www.tripurainfo.com )

[broadcaster at syhlleti.org]

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl
President INPT



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 .



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