Reported by: Mrinal Banik
Agartala: Road and rail connectivity in Tripura was disrupted on Friday as surrendered cadres of several former insurgent groups began a 72-hour blockade at multiple locations, pressing for implementation of commitments under the September 4, 2024, tripartite peace agreement and other demands.
As of 10 am, around 220-250 people, including about 10 women, had gathered on the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Chandra Sadhu Para near Hathai Kotor Bridge under Jirania police station of West Tripura, the officer said.
The gathering was reportedly being led by Prasenjit Debbarma and Parimal Debbarma.
At Khowai Chowmuhani under Sidhai police station, around 90-100 people were gathered, reportedly under the leadership of Alendra Debbarma, while another 60-70 people were present at Brigudas Bari under Jirania police station, reportedly under the leadership of Jibanjoy Reang.
The police officer said no information regarding any other road or rail blockade had been received till 10 am and added that the situation was being closely monitored.
The blockade has been organised by groups representing surrendered cadres of NLFT (ORI), NLFT (PD), ATTF, NLFT (NB), JARC, JAC and ATTF (OLD).
Protesters have gathered at strategic points along the highway and railway route, affecting the movement of vehicles and trains.
At several locations, protesters staged sit-ins and blocked the highway. The disruption left passenger and goods vehicles stranded on the affected stretches, while railway movement was also affected near Brigudas Bari.
The organisations are pressing an 11-point charter of demands, including implementation of the tripartite peace agreement signed on September 4, 2024, between the Centre, the Tripura government and the surrendered groups.
Their demands also include security arrangements for leaders and cadres, approval of lists of surrendered members, withdrawal of pending police cases and powers for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council to acquire land.
Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed at the blockade points to maintain law and order.
West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak visited the affected areas, while senior officials held discussions with protesters in an effort to address the situation.
ATTF leader Sukumar Debbarma said the blockade would continue unless the demands were addressed and indicated that the agitation could be withdrawn if the government fulfilled its commitments.
The blockade came on a day when a high-level meeting was taking place, which would reportedly be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha and Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in New Delhi.
The situation remained under close watch as the 72-hour blockade continued. There was no immediate response from the state government on the demands raised by the organisations.