“Surrendered militants block National Highway for four hours over various demands.”

Former extremists returned to normal life at different times by surrendering their arms under various agreements. However, their demands as per those agreements have still not been fulfilled. The surrendered members allege that administrative apathy is one of the main reasons behind this situation.

Under these circumstances, based on a three-point charter of demands, three organizations of surrendered former militants blocked the Assam–Agartala National Highway at Baramura Hills from Monday morning. The organizations are the JAC (Joint Action Committee), JARC, and DRMC. These three bodies came together under a common platform named the Tripura Guerrilla Returns Demand Committee and began the highway blockade on Monday morning.

Their demands include the immediate revival of a rehabilitation package worth ₹23 crore; continuation of the previously approved budget under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission for 16,800 rubber saplings along with fencing work; and the immediate withdrawal of all cases filed against former militants who have returned to the mainstream.

A leader of the Tripura Guerrilla Returns Demand Committee stated that they resorted to the national highway blockade from the morning to press these demands.

Upon receiving information about the blockade, a large administrative team led by Jirania Sub-Divisional Magistrate Animesh Dhar reached Baramura Hills early in the morning. The administration held several rounds of talks with the protesters and assured them that their demands would be taken up with higher authorities. After prolonged negotiations lasting nearly four to four and a half hours, the protesters finally withdrew the blockade.

On behalf of the organizations, it was stated that they had laid down arms and returned peacefully to society, but the government had failed to fulfill its promises. They alleged that rehabilitation exists only in assurances, with no concrete action on the ground.

Meanwhile, due to the highway blockade from morning, a large number of vehicles were stranded on both sides of Baramura, causing severe inconvenience to daily commuters. This led to anger and concern among the stranded passengers.