Tripura: Proposal to establish BSF firing range met with stiff opposition; leaders submit memo

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AGARTALA | Aug 07, 2019:

A group of village heads including political leaders on Wednesday submitted a joint memorandum to the Chief Minister, Biplab Kumar Deb opposing the evacuation of indigenous Bru people and the proposed establishment of BSF firing range in Manuchailengta ADC village in North Tripura.

The leaders under the umbrella of Preparatory Committee of Movement against BSF Firing Range submitted the memorandum to the CM through the SDM of Kanchanpur today.

The Committee stated that the decision to establish the firing range in a 2700 acres of forest land was taken without any consultation with the affected people of the area.

They maintained that around 800 families from three villages like Manuchailengta, Chandipur and Dashamani will be badly affected if the firing range is entrenched as majority of the poor BRU families are dependent on Jhum Cultivation.

Furthermore, the Committee questioned the need for acquiring such a huge plot of land for a firing range even as they stated that the blueprint of the same was not available to explain the reason behind the acquisition.

"Let's not forget that forest area and wildlife with many protected species will be in danger", said member of the Committee, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Deb Burman, who is also the TPCC president.

While maintaining that they are not against arm forces, Manikya said "But we want transparency.

"Today there were no political flags or banners; we were there as one. This ia what is called Thansa (unity)", added the royal scion.