ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the formation and functioning of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in Tripura and assesses it effectiveness within the appropriate historical, constitutional and political backdrop. The Marxists, since the late 1940s, have committed themselves to the cause of protection of tribal identity in the State. The question of land assumed special significance in Tripura although the land tenure system, as it took shape during the Raj, was somewhat similar to that of neighbouring Bengal. The inner-party documents of the State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) no longer were found concerned about the question of restoration of land to the tribals as part of protection of tribal identity. The chapter provides a detailed, empirically based analysis of the specific historical background to the special aspects of tribal ethnic identity in Tripura as distinguished from Tripura's neighbours. It indicates the limits of the ADC in respect of the land question– restoration of illegally transferred land to the tribals.
