Surrendered Militants' Body announces statewide blockade on Feb 20

Tripura faces the prospect of a statewide transport shutdown on February 20, as the Tripura Guerrilla Returned Demand Committee — a body of surrendered militants — has announced a blockade of national highways and railway lines. The move comes amid growing frustration over the suspension of a rehabilitation project and the continued pendency of cases against former insurgents.

Addressing the press in Agartala on Wednesday, committee leaders recalled that they had surrendered before 1998 under the Left Front government, choosing peace over violence. In 2007, the state sanctioned Rs 45 crore for their rehabilitation, with the project beginning in 2008 and continuing until 2018. However, they allege that after the change of government and the Covid-19 pandemic, the scheme was abruptly halted, leaving nearly Rs 23 crore of funds unused.

“We have waited long enough. This is our rightful due,” the leaders said, demanding immediate resumption of the project and withdrawal of pending cases. They warned that failure to act would compel them to intensify their democratic agitation.

With the deadline approaching, all eyes are now on the state administration’s response to avert a confrontation.