Survey to know the status of plots
Context
According to an official, the Tripura government has begun an in-depth survey to determine the status of plots transferred between the people of the State and erstwhile East Pakistan before and after the 1947 partition.
Partition of 1947
India’s partition in 1947 was a historic moment in South Asian history. It resulted in the partition of British India into two sovereign nations, India and Pakistan. The split was built on religious lines, with India being primarily Hindu and Pakistan established as a separate nation for Muslims.
What is the background behind the partition of 1947?
- British Colonialism: British colonial power in India lasted nearly two centuries, beginning with the creation of the East India Company in the early 17th century. India had become the British Empire’s “crown jewel” by the mid-nineteenth century.
- Indian National Movement: The Indian National Congress and other political movements campaigning for self-rule and independence rose to prominence in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others were instrumental in the fight for Indian independence.
- World War II and British Weakness: World War II devastated the British economy and military capabilities. The Indian National Congress wanted concessions for Indian self-rule in exchange for its assistance during the war. The British response, however, was the Quit India Movement, which resulted in the arrest of Congress leaders.
- The demand of the Muslim League for Pakistan: The All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, advocated for a distinct Muslim homeland known as Pakistan. Jinnah contended that Muslims and Hindus belonged to independent nations with distinct religious, social, and cultural identities.
- Cabinet Mission Strategy (1946): In 1946, the British government dispatched a Cabinet Mission to offer a proposal for a united India with decentralized governance. It proposed forming a confederation of provinces and organizations with significant autonomy. The plan, however, was not widely approved.
- Direct Action Day (1946): Jinnah declared Direct Action Day in August 1946, sparking communal riots and violence in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and elsewhere. The occurrence exacerbated religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
- Radcliffe Line and Mountbatten Plan: Lord Louis Mountbatten, the final Viceroy of India, advocated partitioning British India into two sovereign republics in 1947. The proposal included drawing the Radcliffe Line to demarcate India’s and Pakistan’s borders.
- Violence and Mass Migration: The announcement of the partition plan triggered widespread communal violence, riots, and mass migration. Millions of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs were displaced, leading to one of the largest forced migrations in history.
What is the intention of the survey conducted by the Tripura Government?
- Land Exchange Evaluation: The survey aims to analyze the status of land plots that were mutually transferred between persons in Tripura and East Pakistan during the time surrounding the 1947 partition.
- Unregistered Plot Identification: One of the survey’s primary goals is to discover plots of land that have been transferred but not registered. Many persons who moved during that time may have failed to register their properties for a variety of reasons, including a lack of awareness and administrative infrastructure.
- Compilation of a List: The survey’s goal is to establish a list of unregistered plots in Tripura that were part of previous land transactions. This list is likely to include information such as plot location and individual names involved in the exchanges.
- Central Government Submission: When the list is complete, it will be submitted to the central government for further action. This demonstrates the Tripura Government’s willingness to address past concerns concerning property swaps and to seek direction or orders from central authorities.
- Compliance with Directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs: The survey intends to follow any directions or recommendations issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, India’s central government ministry in charge of internal affairs.
