On the one hand, it could lead to fierce conflicts with the Indian State, which could throw its military machine against such pro-independence groups holding power within Tripura. On the other, the current situation could force both tribals and non-tribals to accept changes from within the system and the new political equation. It is not possible to change the demographic map of Tripura. Yet, if political and economic power is distributed more equitably, with tribals controlling their lands and future within the provisions of the Indian Constitution, without heeding the demands of Bengali politicians, then there are good chances of short-term and long-term compromise. The participation and involvement of the IPFT in the TTAC is a positive sign.

There have been efforts to rouse the Bengalis by organizing such groups such as Amra Bangla (We are Bengalis) and more recently the Bengali Tiger Force. These are dismissed as inconsequential and without any bite to their bark. The latter group hardly has any weapons. This, however, may change if the ethnic assaults against Bengalis continue. A core of Bengali fighters, armed with weapons which are easily available for a price in the North East, could complicate an already complex and bitter situation.

These strands of discussion bring us back time and again to the basic themes that resonate in the North East and also in Bangladesh: land, migration and fears of loss of identity. The latter provides the ideological cover for crimes committed against human beings of different communities and creeds.

But is all this violence curbing the migration, which can be said to be at the root of the crisis?

Arunodoy Saha, a professor of economics at Tripura University, told me an interesting story. A student working on a doctoral thesis visited him, as the then Dean of Students, to seek his approval on his application. The young man had even selected his guide. As he scanned the application and the official papers which came with it, Saha noticed that an official note had been written on a Sunday. ‘This is a fake document,’ he angrily turned on the student. The latter was unfazed. ‘Sir, in our country, Sundays are working days.’ The boy was from Comilla in Bangladesh. Fridays are holidays there. There are hundreds like him who live in Agartala before either returning home or going elsewhere in India. The fact that they are Hindus makes detection that much more difficult.