Former rebels blockade NH-8 at Boramura for 4-hours, demand fulfillment of surrender packages

Three surrendered militant outfits in Tripura on Monday jointly blocked the Assam–Agartala National Highway (NH-8) at the Boramura hill ranges for nearly four hours, demanding immediate fulfillment of long-pending rehabilitation assurances promised at the time of their surrender.

The protest was organized under the banner of the Tripura Guerrilla Returns Demand Committee. The agitators raised three key demands and warned of intensifying their agitation if the government failed to address the issues.

The protesters demanded the immediate revival of the Rs 23-crore Board Rehabilitation Package (BRP) scheme, retention of the originally approved allocation under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission (CMRM) for Rs 16,800 rubber saplings along with fencing—opposing its reported reduction to Rs 6,000—and the withdrawal of all pending cases against former guerrillas who have returned to civilian life.

Owing to the blockade, vehicular movement along the vital highway came to a standstill from early morning, leaving numerous passenger and goods vehicles stranded and causing widespread inconvenience to commuters and local residents, who expressed anger and concern over the disruption.

Following information about the blockade, a large administrative team led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Jirania) Animesh Dhar reached the spot and held several rounds of talks with the protesters. After nearly four to four-and-a-half hours of negotiations, the agitators agreed to withdraw the blockade.

A representative of the organization said, “We laid down our arms and returned peacefully to society, but the government has failed to honour its promises. In the name of rehabilitation, there are only assurances—nothing on the ground.”

The incident once again highlighted the unresolved issues related to rehabilitation and reintegration of surrendered militants in the state. The protesters warned that they would launch a larger movement in the future if their demands remain unfulfilled.