Agartala, June 13: The 72-hour road and rail blockade called by members of disbanded militant outfits in Tripura was withdrawn within six hours of its commencement on Friday after fresh talks with the state government resulted in a breakthrough.
The blockade, organised by former cadres of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), began at 6 a.m. to press for the implementation of commitments made under a tripartite peace accord signed in New Delhi on September 4, 2024.
Earlier rounds of discussions, chaired by Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, had failed to persuade the protest leaders to withdraw the agitation. Although both sides reportedly agreed on several issues, differences remained over certain key demands, prompting the organisers to proceed with the blockade.
However, fresh negotiations were initiated on Friday morning, leading to a positive outcome. According to sources, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who is currently in New Delhi for a meeting of North Eastern Chief Ministers, intervened in the matter and assured the protesters that their legitimate demands would be addressed and implemented in due course.
Following the assurances, the former militants agreed to call off the blockade.
Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, along with senior police officials, visited the protest sites and reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the issues. The protesters subsequently lifted blockades at all locations, restoring normal traffic and railway movement.
The agitation had briefly disrupted transportation across parts of the state. Long-distance bus services operating on the Assam-Agartala National Highway were affected, while railway services also came to a halt. Public transport connecting Agartala with North Tripura, Unakoti and Khowai districts was disrupted, though southern districts largely remained unaffected.
According to police, blockades were staged at three locations, including Hatai Kotor in the Baramura hill foothills and near railway tracks at Sadhupara. No untoward incidents were reported during the protest.
NLFT leader Prasenjit Debbarma said the agitation was called to demand proper implementation of the peace accord, particularly provisions related to rehabilitation and socio-economic development of former militants. He welcomed the government’s assurances and expressed hope that the remaining issues would be resolved through dialogue.
