1 hr ago
Tripura Surrendered Militants Continue Road, Rail Blockade Over Rehabilitation
Former militants in Tripura gave up their weapons under an agreement with the central and state governments.
They say the promised help to begin new lives has not reached enough people.
They want jobs, economic support, and other rehabilitation measures.
They also want more former militants to be officially accepted and pending police cases to be withdrawn.
To pressure the government, they blocked roads and railway tracks for 72 hours.
The blockade affected travel and led to the cancellation or shortening of 10 trains.
A government official asked them to stop, but their representatives refused.
They said the protest could become indefinite if their demands remain unmet.
Around 400 surrendered NLFT and ATTF members reportedly blocked National Highway-8 and railway tracks at three locations in Khowai and West Tripura districts.
A joint committee said seven surrendered militant organisations ultimately joined the 72-hour statewide blockade over an 11-point list of demands.
The protest disrupted road and rail traffic, with Northeast Frontier Railway cancelling or short-terminating 10 express and local trains.
The protesters seek implementation of the 2024 tripartite agreement, economic rehabilitation, acceptance of more cadres, and withdrawal of pending police cases.
The groups rejected a government appeal to end the blockade, while warning of an indefinite agitation if their demands are not addressed.
- Who
- Surrendered militants from NLFT, ATTF, and other former militant organisations, represented by a joint committee.
- What
- They launched and continued a 72-hour road and rail blockade over an 11-point set of rehabilitation and agreement-related demands.
- Where
- Across Tripura, including National Highway-8 and railway tracks in Khowai, West Tripura, and other affected districts.
- When
- On a Friday; the second report is datelined September 4, while the first report does not specify a date.
- Why
- The protesters say promised economic rehabilitation and other provisions of the 2024 tripartite agreement remain largely unfulfilled.
Surrendered militants’ position
Government and administration’s position
Rehabilitation commitments
Surrendered militants’ position
The former militants say promised economic assistance, livelihood opportunities, and other provisions of the tripartite agreement have not been implemented adequately.
Government and administration’s position
The reports say the government has appealed for the blockade to be withdrawn and has conveyed the protesters’ demands to higher authorities for action.
Continuation of the blockade
Surrendered militants’ position
The protesters rejected the appeal to lift the blockade, saying they were forced to disrupt connectivity to secure implementation of government promises and could intensify the agitation.
Government and administration’s position
The administration, represented by Jirania Sub-Divisional Magistrate Animesh Dhar, asked the protesters to withdraw the blockade after discussions.
Acceptance of former cadres
Surrendered militants’ position
The protesters claim that only 91 of more than 1,200 former cadres have been accepted by police and demand that all listed cadres be accepted and pending cases withdrawn.
Government and administration’s position
No specific government response to these claims or demands was provided in the reports.
Key facts
- Protest duration
- 72 hours
- Main demands
- An 11-point charter including economic rehabilitation and implementation of the tripartite agreement
- Road affected
- National Highway-8
- Rail impact
- Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled or short-terminated 10 express and local trains
- Surrender agreement
- NLFT and ATTF members signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and Tripura government in 2024
- Rehabilitation package
- The protesters cited a Central government package worth Rs 250 crore
- Cadre status
- Prasenjit Debbarma said only 91 of more than 1,200 cadres had been accepted by police
Quotes
Prasenjit Debbarma
Leader of the NLFT (Original) and spokesperson for the protesting surrendered militants
“We are ready to withdraw our blockade if we get a written assurance from the state government. If the state government remains silent on our genuine demands, we will launch an indefinite agitation across the state in support of our demands and the economic rehabilitation of the surrendered NLFT and ATTF cadres.”
thehansindia.com
“Although we have an 11-point list of demands, the government must immediately accept all the surrendered militants on the list. Out of over 1,200 cadres, only 91 have been accepted by the police so far.”
theprint.in
Sources
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