Bikram Bahadur Jamatia, who had played an important role in promoting an indigenous people’s ‘movement’ against the insurgency which had hit this Northeastern state was honoured by the Padma Shri award, 2023 in the social work category.
Bikram Bahadur had worked to build up opinion among tribals against the second insurgency phase in Tripura during the late 1990s.
Social Work
As Acra (head) of Jamatia Hoda, an apex Socio-cultural-religious body of the Jamatias, he used to visit militancy infested tribal areas ignoring threat and motivated villagers to stand up against the insurgency pointing out that the fighting had brought a virtual end to development work in tribal areas.
Jamatia, who has been promoting indigenous faith, cultural and heritage for decades, had played the role of ambassador too against alleged conversion in the state’s hilly areas.
Jamatia has also been considered instrumental in adoption of customary law for indigenous tribes in the northeastern state.
