Seven surrendered insurgent groups in Tripura launched a 72-hour blockade of the Assam-Agartala National Highway on September 4, disrupting traffic and demanding action on 11 issues, including implementation of the tripartite peace accord signed in September 2024.
Members and supporters of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (Original), NLFT (Parimal Debbarma), All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), NLFT (Nayan Bashi), Joint Action Rehabilitation Committee, Joint Action Committee and ATTF (Old) began the blockade early in the morning at Chandra Sadhupada in the Baramura area.
Protesters blocked the highway and set tyres on fire, leaving vehicles stranded at several points. Similar protests were reported at Bighudas along the railway route and Khowai Chowmuhani on the road route.
Security was tightened in the affected areas as police and administrative officials held talks with protesters to clear the routes. West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak also reached the protest site.
NLFT leader Thomas Tripura said the organisations had been seeking implementation of commitments made under agreements with the Centre and the Tripura government. He said the September 4, 2024 tripartite agreement provided a four-year timeframe, ending in 2028, for implementing the commitments.
“We have struggled for nearly 35 years as a revolutionary organisation,” Thomas said, adding that several groups later returned to the mainstream through agreements with the governments.
The groups demanded protection for their leaders and cadres, recognition and inclusion of returnee cadres in the relevant list, withdrawal of police cases against them and filling of pending Scheduled Tribe vacancies. They also sought implementation of projects under the Socio-Economic Development Package, including those involving privately owned land and individual beneficiaries.
The organisations also demanded safeguards for Tiprasa land, a separate administration, adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok, a common customary law for Tiprasa communities, restoration and renaming of traditional village names, and transfer of powers over land acquisition and allotment to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
Thomas said the blockade would continue for 72 hours unless the authorities addressed the demands. The organisations had earlier announced the statewide bandh from 6 am on September 4, describing it as a democratic movement to press for implementation of the peace accord and protect the interests of former insurgent cadres.
