Agartala, Dec 22: Traffic on the Assam–Agartala National Highway came to a standstill late Sunday night after a group of surrendered insurgents blocked the road at Baramura in West Tripura, demanding the immediate revival of a stalled rehabilitation package worth ₹23 crore, officials said. Several vehicles, including goods-laden trucks, were stranded for hours as members of the Tripura Guerrilla Returned Demand Committee staged the blockade, pressing the state government to fulfil long-pending commitments made to former militants who had returned to civilian life.
A protester, identifying himself as a surrendered insurgent, said the group comprised pre-1998 returnees who joined the mainstream following negotiations with the then Left Front government. “For proper settlement and rehabilitation, ₹45 crore was sanctioned on May 22, 2007,” he said. According to him, the rehabilitation scheme was implemented from 2008 and continued until 2018. “After that, the government changed, COVID came, and all schemes stopped. Since then, there has been no update,” he said. The protester said that around ₹22 crore of the sanctioned amount had already been utilised. “From the ₹45 crore, around ₹22 crore has been spent. We want the government to restart the scheme and use the remaining funds,” he said, adding that repeated representations to officials had failed to yield results.
The group also raised concerns over livelihood initiatives under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission. “Under the CM Rubber Mission, the scheme ran smoothly for three years, but this year it was not implemented,” he said. “Rubber saplings were provided, but no funds were given for fencing. Despite approaching the administration several times, nothing has happened.” Warning of further escalation, the protester said the blockade would continue if their demands were not addressed. “If the government fails to resolve the issue, we will continue blocking the national highway,” he said. In addition to financial demands, the protesters called for the immediate withdrawal of all pending cases against surrendered insurgents who have returned to normal civilian life. Officials said efforts were underway to negotiate with the protesters and restore normal traffic on the highway.
