The opposition Tipra-Motha  on Saturday declared a 12-hour shutdown in the TTAADC areas on September 30 to press for its demand for a ‘Greater Tipraland’.

Tipra-Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman said that the party will continue to fight for its core demand of 'Greater Tipraland' for the tribals, who according to him are deprived of basic facilities in education, health and other areas.

Addressing a press conference in the Ujjayanta Palace on Saturday Pradyot said he is not in favour of any communal politics but added that they are keeping the bandh confined only in ADC areas as beyond that they don’t have much influence. He said from the bandh will remain in force from 6 AM to 6 PM when all activities except emergency services in the ADC will remain suspended.

He said that the dawn-to-dusk strike in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas has been called to convey a clear message to the Central government that the patience of the indigenous people is exhausting, and they are in urgent need to resolve their constitutional demands and concerns.

Debbarman appealed to all individuals who believe that justice has not been served to the indigenous people to lend their support to the strike.

“We are seeking justice for the survival and existence of our indigenous community, and it is not directed against any particular community,” he said.

While acknowledging the positive talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other Central government officials recently, the Pradyot stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on the government until a satisfactory solution is reached.

Motha's demand has caused a fear-psychosis among the non-tribals, who are a majority outside the TTAADC areas and a minority in the autonomous body areas, which cover over 68 per cent geographical area of the state.

Chairman of the TTAADC Jagadish Debbarma, former minister Mever Kumar Jamatia and other leaders were present in the press conference.