Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: A 72-hour blockade by former militants demanding time-bound implementation of the 2024 peace accord entered its second day on Saturday, disrupting road and railway movement at several locations across the state.
The agitation, organised by the All Returnees Rehabilitation Committee representing seven surrendered militant groups, has affected sections of national highways, local roads and railway tracks. Connectivity along the Assam-Agartala National Highway and rail links between Agartala, northern Tripura and Assam have been particularly impacted.
More than 100 former militants reportedly gathered at blockade points at Hataikatar and Khowai Chowmuhani in West Tripura district. The blockade at Hataikatar disrupted traffic on the Assam-Agartala National Highway.
Railway operations were also affected after protesters blocked tracks at multiple locations. The Northeast Frontier Railway was forced to cancel, reschedule and curtail several services, including some long-distance trains.
Despite the disruption, police said the situation remained peaceful, although a brief tense situation emerged at Baramura on Saturday morning.
According to a police officer, personnel at the site requested the protesters to allow people travelling for medical or other emergency reasons to cross the blockade. Some protesters allegedly moved towards the police team following the request, prompting the personnel to withdraw to prevent the situation from escalating.
The former militants have warned of further action if their demands are not addressed. One protest leader also warned that the groups could consider seeking the return of the weapons they had surrendered and potentially returning to insurgent activities if the government failed to honour the commitments made under the peace agreement.
The groups had surrendered their weapons in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha following the signing of the agreement.
The agitation follows continued demands for implementation of the tripartite peace accord signed in 2024. The former militants have put forward 11 demands, including protection of land rights for indigenous communities and withdrawal of cases pending against surrendered militants.
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On Friday, West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar held talks with representatives of the former militant groups to discuss their demands. He said the administration was committed to implementing the provisions of the peace agreement within a defined timeframe.
Kumar said the government had placed several proposals before the former militant leaders. The leaders, he added, would discuss the proposals with their respective cadres before communicating their response to the administration.
The 72-hour blockade began on Friday and is scheduled to continue until Sunday. Road and rail services in the affected areas are expected to remain disrupted for the duration of the protest.