Agartala, February 25: A group of surrendered militants blocked National Highway 8, the crucial road link between Tripura’s capital Agartala and Assam, on Tuesday, demanding the fulfillment of their longstanding demands, including the withdrawal of all court cases against them and the proper implementation of the tripartite surrender rehabilitation agreement.
The 24-hour road blockade began this morning at Sadhupara in the foothills of the Hataikotor (Baramura) hill range in West Tripura district.
This marks the fifth time the former militants, who were once members of various insurgent groups, have organized a highway blockade over the same demands.
They claim that under the tripartite peace agreement both the state and central governments had committed to providing them with equal opportunities for socio-economic development, allowing them to reintegrate into normal life with their families but the promises made were not kept.
The protest is a response to the authorities’ failure to implement a 21-point charter of demands. These demands include proper rehabilitation, land allotment, housing, and economic assistance.
Notably, the surrender agreements, involving insurgent groups like the NLFT (NB), ATTF, and TNV, were made under the supervision of agencies such as Tripura Police, TSR, CRPF, BSF, and intelligence agencies.
Despite multiple meetings with Tribal Welfare Ministers, District Magistrates, and the Director of Tribal Welfare, the demands remain unmet since the signing of the agreement on January 5, 2021.
Among the key demands are the implementation of the PMAY housing scheme for returnees without pucca houses with basic facilities of pipeline water and electricity, vocational training and financial assistance, free education up to the university level for surrendered individuals and their families, special economic development package and the implementation of previous agreements signed with armed groups.
The protesters have also called for the permanent recognition of the Roman script as per the ATTF agreement and they threatened to go for indefinite blockade in future if their demands are not fulfilled.
Meanwhile, a large number of security forces have been deployed at Sadhupara, where senior police officials are engaged in discussions with the protesters to convince them to withdraw the blockade.
While the protest has disrupted the free movement of passengers and goods, vehicles carrying students appearing for board exams, wedding processions, ambulances, and other emergency services have been allowed to pass.
