The political events observed in Tripura over last 1-2 years culminating in killing of young journalist this week is sad indicator to return of violence to hard earned peaceful public life. That, this period also coincides with changing local political alignments together with excessive intolerance seen all over, is something Agartala intellectuals may or should, be concerned about and like to intervene for bringing healthy, acceptable level of sporting spirit into political games.
I don't know Tripura as deeply as some of my friends at Agartala might know, but confidently know better than millions of rest of Indians, for whom north eastern people are still sort of semi-compatriots only at the most, know it.
When
I first went to Tripura in mid 2005, the state was in process of recovering from three decades of insurgency and many gory stories were still fresh reminders that used to warn us about traveling to even Matabadi and Balunia after 6 in evening. Security bunkers were regular on the hill tops. The state had seen enough bloody clashes but had started recovering fast.
In next three years by 2008 when I left, we hardly used to hear about active insurgency any more. The state had almost returned to normal and peaceful. Credit must go to the public and to the efforts of govt.
During my stay and ever since I left Agartala, my friendly contacts with locals grew stronger only, particularly with those from media, some of whom had become more than professional associate and have been close pals now. Checking on happenings about Tripura has been regular. I can say confidently that the state had been one of the most peaceful for quite some time now.
The present incidents should not deter the process of peace and development and must be quickly consigned to extreme rarity. Political maturity the state has displayed so far must be strengthened.
