Hundreds of surrendered militants, including women, belonging to different factions of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) continued their blockade of vital national highways and the state’s lone railway line for the second consecutive day on Saturday, severely disrupting road and rail connectivity across Tripura.

The blockade was withdrawn in the afternoon following negotiations between the agitating surrendered cadres and West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Dr Vishal Kumar.

According to police officials, around 400 surrendered militants had been participating in the 72-hour blockade, which began on Friday. The protesters were demanding implementation of key provisions of the tripartite rehabilitation agreement signed with the Centre and the Tripura government on September 4, 2024.

Senior officials, including District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, held a marathon meeting with representatives of the protesting NLFT and ATTF members. The protesters had initially remained firm on continuing their agitation.

The blockade severely affected normal life in several parts of the state. Vehicles of all types, including passenger buses and goods-laden trucks, were stranded as National Highway-8, considered the surface lifeline of Tripura, was blocked at three locations in West Tripura and Khowai districts.

Rail services were also badly affected. In view of the agitation, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) cancelled, rescheduled or short-terminated 10 express and local trains. Among the affected services were the Anand Vihar Terminal–Agartala, Bengaluru–Agartala, Agartala–Bengaluru and Sealdah–Agartala trains.

A large number of security personnel, including Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel, were deployed at the blockade points under the supervision of senior police officials to maintain law and order.

Following discussions with the protesters, District Magistrate Vishal Kumar indicated that the administration could take action if the road and railway blockades continued.

Spokesperson for the surrendered militants, Jibonjoy Reang, said many surrendered cadres were still homeless and facing serious hardship due to the lack of livelihood opportunities allegedly promised under the rehabilitation agreement.

According to Reang, the government had assured economic rehabilitation for all surrendered NLFT and ATTF cadres, but the commitments had not been adequately implemented.

He said the militants had responded to the government’s appeal, surrendered their arms and joined the democratic mainstream, but were still waiting for the promised rehabilitation measures.

“We are ready to withdraw our blockade if we get a written assurance from the state government. If the state government remains silent on our genuine demands, we will launch an indefinite agitation across the state in support of our demands and the economic rehabilitation of the surrendered NLFT and ATTF cadres,” Reang told the media.

The NLFT and ATTF cadres surrendered their arms and ammunition before Chief Minister Manik Saha on September 24, 2024, following the signing of a tripartite agreement involving the Centre and the Tripura government. The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.

Former NLFT leader Prasanjit Debbarma said the Central government had announced a rehabilitation package of Rs 250 crore, covering economic assistance, livelihood generation, welfare measures and other initiatives aimed at providing a secure and sustainable future to those who had abandoned insurgency and joined the democratic mainstream.

The protesting groups, however, alleged that several of their demands, including economic rehabilitation and withdrawal of cases against surrendered cadres, remained unfulfilled.

The problems faced by the surrendered militants were also raised during the recently concluded monsoon session of the Tripura Assembly.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha told the House that economic and other benefits would have to be provided to the surrendered militants according to the stipulated rules.

Opposition parties, including the CPI (M) and Congress, have criticised the state government, alleging that it has failed to take adequate steps to resolve the problems and address the demands of the surrendered NLFT and ATTF cadres.