Surrendered militants of different outfits block National Highway-8, the surface lifeline of Tripura

Guwahati: Around 100 surrendered militants from different outfits blocked National Highway-8, the surface lifeline of Tripura, on Tuesday, demanding the fulfillment of their long-standing requests, which included the withdrawal of all court cases against them and the implementation of the tripartite agreement signed with them. An official stated that the blockade was withdrawn after several hours following the persuasion of the district administration and senior police officials.

Hundreds of passengers and goods-laden vehicles were stranded due to the vital National Highway blockade at Sadhupara in the foothills of the Hataikotor hill range in West Tripura district. The spokesperson for the surrendered militants, Daniel Debbarma, claimed 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; however, the promises made were not kept.

He stated that the road blockade was organized in protest against the governments' failure to implement a 21-point charter of demands, which includes proper rehabilitation, land allotment, housing, and economic assistance. Debbarma mentioned that despite multiple meetings with the Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister, district magistrates, and the Director of the Tribal Welfare Department, the demands have remained unfulfilled since the signing of the agreement on January 5, 2021.


Among the key demands are the implementation of the housing scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for the surrendered militants, provision of basic facilities such as piped water supply and electricity, vocational training and financial assistance, free education for their children up to the university level, and a special economic development package. The agitating surrendered militants threatened to initiate an indefinite blockade of National Highway-8 in the future if their demands are not fulfilled.