Three surrendered militant groups of Tripura have called for a 72-hour shutdown and rail-road blockade from Friday, September 4, demanding immediate implementation of commitments made under the 2024 tripartite peace agreement signed with the Centre and the state government.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club on Thursday by leaders of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), NLFT (Parimal Debbarma faction) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) under the banner of the Joint Movement Committee (JMC).
JMC convener Prasenjit Debbarma said the organizations had been repeatedly urging the government to fulfill promises related to the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, but no significant progress had been made despite several rounds of discussions.
The three groups had signed a tripartite peace accord with the Centre and the Tripura government on September 4, 2024, aimed at ensuring lasting peace and development in the state. However, the JMC alleged that most of the commitments under the agreement remain unimplemented even after two years.
“Despite repeated assurances, the rehabilitation process has not been completed. The government must provide a written assurance on fulfilling the commitments,” Debbarma said.
The leaders claimed that more than 1,200 cadres surrendered under the peace agreement, but only 91 cadres have received rehabilitation benefits so far. They alleged that the remaining surrendered militants are facing serious livelihood difficulties.
The JMC leaders also raised objections to certain guidelines under a Rs 250-crore rehabilitation project funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) for surrendered militants.
Earlier, the surrendered groups had blocked national highways and railway connectivity in June over similar demands. The agitation was withdrawn following government assurances that their concerns would be addressed.
At Thursday’s press conference, the leaders announced that the 72-hour shutdown would begin on September 4, with cadres gathering at three locations across the state to halt road and railway movement.
They warned that if the government fails to take effective steps during the shutdown period, the agitation would be intensified and converted into an indefinite blockade.
The leaders also demanded direct intervention from Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, alleging that discussions with ministers, including Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, had failed to bring any concrete solution.
“The key to the lock is not with the ministers; it is with the Chief Minister,” one of the leaders said, urging the Chief Minister to intervene directly.
The organisations appealed to the government not to harass their cadres during the proposed peaceful movement and warned that the state government would be responsible if any untoward situation arises during the agitation.
The proposed shutdown and blockade have raised concerns over possible disruption of normal life, including road and railway connectivity, across Tripura from Friday.