Traffic movement along the crucial Assam-Agartala National Highway has come to a standstill since late Sunday night. The disruption is due to a road blockade staged by the Tripura Guerrilla Returned Demand Committee at the Baramura hill range in West Tripura district.
Core Demands of the Protesting Group
The group, which consists of former militants who surrendered and reintegrated into society, has one primary demand. They are calling for the urgent revival of a long-pending rehabilitation package worth Rs 23 crore. A leader of the committee explained their long-standing grievance. He stated that the members had returned to the mainstream following negotiations with the erstwhile Left Front government, with most surrenders happening before 1998.
"Our issues remain unresolved even after all these years," the leader said. He provided a historical context, revealing that an initial budget of Rs 45 crore was sanctioned on May 22, 2007, specifically for their settlement and rehabilitation. However, all activities related to this scheme ground to a halt in 2018. The group attributes this stoppage to changes in the state government and the subsequent disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stalled Funds and Legal Wrangling
Despite repeated appeals and follow-ups with the authorities, the former insurgents claim to have seen no progress. Their current demand is clear: the government must allocate the remaining Rs 22 crore from the original package to restart the completely stalled rehabilitation program. The group has also raised concerns beyond the direct rehabilitation scheme.
They have pointed fingers at the CM Rubber Mission, alleging that funds meant for fencing distributed saplings were withheld. This is despite a successful three-year sapling distribution drive. Adding to their list of demands, the committee insists on the dismissal of all pending legal cases still lodged against its reintegrated members.
Impending Consequences and Official Silence
The protestors have issued a stern warning to the state administration. They have declared that the blockade on the Assam-Agartala National Highway will continue indefinitely unless the government takes immediate and concrete action to address their demands. The blockade at Baramura has severely impacted the flow of goods and passengers, highlighting the strategic importance of this route for Tripura's connectivity with the rest of India.
As of now, there has been no official response from the state government regarding the demands or the ongoing protest. The situation remains tense, with commuters and transporters bearing the brunt of the disruption while awaiting a resolution.
