Traffic along the Assam–Agartala National Highway was brought to a halt late Sunday night after members of a surrendered insurgent group blocked the road at Baramura in West Tripura, pressing the state government to immediately restart a long-stalled rehabilitation scheme.
The blockade, staged by the Tripura Guerrilla Returned Demand Committee, left several vehicles, including trucks carrying essential goods, stranded for hours. The protesters said the agitation was aimed at forcing action on commitments made to former militants who laid down arms and returned to civilian life decades ago.
One of the protesters, identifying himself as a surrendered insurgent, said the group comprises pre-1998 returnees who joined the mainstream following negotiations with the then Left Front government. He said a rehabilitation package of ₹45 crore was sanctioned on May 22, 2007, to ensure their proper settlement and livelihood support.
According to him, the scheme was implemented between 2008 and 2018 after a series of official meetings, but came to a standstill following a change in government and later disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, he claimed, there has been no communication or update from the authorities despite repeated appeals.
The protester said around ₹22 crore of the sanctioned amount has already been utilised, leaving roughly ₹23 crore unspent. The group is demanding that the remaining funds be released and the rehabilitation programme restarted without further delay.
Concerns were also raised over livelihood initiatives under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission. The protesters alleged that while rubber saplings were distributed, funds for fencing and maintenance were not provided this year, rendering the effort ineffective. They claimed repeated representations to the administration on the issue have gone unanswered.
Warning of further agitation, the group said the blockade would continue if their demands were ignored. In addition to financial support, they also called for the immediate withdrawal of all pending legal cases against surrendered insurgents who have reintegrated into civilian life.
The situation remained tense as authorities worked to clear the highway and restore normal traffic movement.
