Deep Concerns Over Misidentification of Tripura Surname Community Spark Worry of Communal Tensions in Tripura

Members of the Tripura surname community across Tripura are raising strong concerns over misclassification and cultural misrepresentation. While Noatia population is just over 10,000, Tripura surname individuals are widespread across the Tripura state but are either merged or labeled under other tribes like Noatia. The community fears this could lead to division, loss of identity, and potential social conflict unless the government acts quickly.

Community of Tripura

A deep game in population report of state Tripura cloud of unrest and deep emotional pain is growing among the Tripura surname tribal community, who are alleging systematic misclassification and marginalization in both official records and public portrayals across Northeast Tripura State. This decades-long issue, they fear, is now threatening the cultural unity and coexistence among tribal groups.

As per the 2011 Census, the Tripuri (Tipra) tribal Debbarma Surname group is the largest indigenous population in Tripura, with a total of 592,255 people. The Debbarma surname, commonly cited as the main clan, is recognized under this category. However, the Tripura surname, despite being one of the most widespread and historically rooted tribes in Tripura State, is absent from official tribal records as a distinct identity.

Meanwhile, the Noatia tribe, with an officially recorded population of just 10,629, is often incorrectly presented as the representative identity of other communities — particularly Tripura surname people.

This misrepresentation is particularly alarming given the wide geographic spread of Tripura surname families across both ADC villages and Gram Panchayats, including:

• Sunamura, Nalchar, and Boxanagar (Sepahijala District)

• Belonia, Rajnagar, and Hrishyamukh (South Tripura District)

• Sabroom, Manu, and Satchand (South Tripura and Gomati)

• Silachari, Karbook, and Ampinagar (Gomati District)

• Gandacherra, Raishyabari, and Longtarai Valley (Dhalai District)

• Twisa, Kanchanpur, and Damchera (North & Unakoti)

• Chowmanu, 32 Mile, and Atharobla (Dhalai and TTAADC regions)

From remote ADC-administered villages to GP-level habitations, Tripura surname families are culturally vibrant and numerically strong how Tripura Surname cum under Noatia with 10,629 population, yet their entire identity is being blurred in museums, exhibitions, and ST listings.

“We see our women’s rignai (Anok) and our clan names like Naitong, Aslong, and Khakolo displayed under Noatia identity. This is not a mistake—it’s a denial,” said a community elder from Gandacherra.

“Noatia has only around 10,000 population—nearly equal to a single large ADC village. But Tripura surname people are in hundreds of villages, from north to south Tripura. Then why are we absent from the census and listed under another tribe?” said a Gram Panchayat head from Karbook.

 

The fear among many is that this intentional or careless misclassification is part of a larger political or bureaucratic ploy — to suppress the true population of the Tripura surname people or create tension between indigenous communities, especially Debbarma, Tripura, and Noatia.

Community Demands:

1. Official recognition of Tripura surname population as a distinct tribal subgroup.

2. Correction of mislabeling in museums, school books, and government displays.

3. Separate population count in future census under the name "Tripura" community.

4. Urgent dialogue with government and tribal councils to prevent potential conflict.

With tribal identity tied closely to land rights, political reservation, education benefits, and cultural dignity, this is no small error—it is a wound to the soul of the community.

“This is a cultural theft and demographic manipulation. If the government doesn’t act now, a storm is coming. We don’t want a conflict—but we want truth,” said a youth activist from Twisa.

As Tripura walks a tightrope of tribal harmony, the government is being called to urgently verify facts, listen to grassroots voices, and ensure justice before unity fractures into division

By Choba Tripura 

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