BJP ally IPFT launched indefinite sit-in against CAA in Tripura
Agartala, Jan 8: Hundreds of tribal people under the banner of Joint Movement against CAA (JMACAA) on Tuesday protested here against implementation of amended Citizenship Act (CAA).
JMACAA is a joint forum of three tribal political parties National Council of Tripura (NCT), Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), Tipraland State Party (TSP) and several other social organizations like Borok People Human Rights Organisation (BPHRO) and Tribal Student Federation (TSF).
The forum had earlier observed Tripura Bandh from December 9 last year against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. They had later met Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on the issue.
JMACAA convener and human rights activist Anthony Debbarma said they are against implementation of CAA in Tripura since the state has already sheltered thousands of refugees from the then East Pakistan after the partition of the country in 1947.
The princely Tripura joined Indian Union in 1949 after signing a merger agreement.
"Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji had categorically stated that that we would be called for a second round of dialogue again after 10-15 days. A month has already passed and we did not receive any indication that he would call us again.
"He said the ways to protect the interests of the tribals would be found. If the central government can't keep it's promises, how can we remain silent. Todays protest is just a token and we shall resume our movement with more intensity", Anthony told the gathering.
Animesh Debbarma, leader of National Conference of Tripura (NCT), a tribal party and member of JMACAA, said, "We are not against Bengali community or any religious community, but we want to protect and safeguard the interests of our community".
The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), an ally of the ruling BJP in the state on Monday launched an indefinite sit-in against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) near the headquarters of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, about 25 km from here.
The party also pressed for a separate Tipraland by carving out of the tribal council from the state which constitutes two third of the state territory.
IPFT spokesperson Mangal Debbarma said, "the demonstration will continue till the Centre takes positive step. We want either the scrapping of the act or exempting entire Tripura from its purview".
IPFT general secretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia said "though our alliance partner, the BJP does not agree with our stand we will continue our agitation unless an amicable solution is achieved.
"We feel achieving the separate Tipraland is the ultimate solution to end the tribal angst in the state", Jamatia, who is also the Tripura tribal affairs minister said.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
