Surrendered Militants’ Blockade Disrupts Rail, Road Traffic in Tripura

Train services and road traffic remained disrupted across parts of Tripura on Saturday as a 72-hour blockade called by former militants entered its second day. The protesters blocked key roads and railway tracks in West Tripura district, crippling movement along routes that serve as critical supply lines for the state.

Protest by Former Militants

Members of the All Returnees Rehabilitation Committee, which represents seven militant groups that surrendered their arms under a peace accord signed with the state government in 2024, began the protest Friday. The forum is pressing for implementation of an 11-point charter agreed upon during that agreement, which was signed before Chief Minister Manik Saha.

Protesters occupied positions at Hataikotor, Brigudasbari and Khowai Chowmuhani in West Tripura district, according to a senior police officer. At Brigudasbari, demonstrators squatted on railway tracks, forcing the Northeast Frontier Railway to short-terminate, cancel and reschedule multiple trains, including long-distance services.

The blockade severely constricted traffic along the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Hataikotor, a road officials describe as a lifeline for the state. Hundreds of former militants participated in the effort to pressure authorities into action.

“The blockade has disrupted train services and vehicular movement, but it has been peaceful,” the police officer said.

Government Response

West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar met with former rebel leaders at Hataikotor on Friday following the start of the protest. After the discussion, Kumar told reporters the government was committed to implementing the accord in a time-bound manner.

“We had a discussion with former rebel leaders at Hataikotor on various points of the peace accord. They have raised some demands to which the government is ready to work,” Kumar said. He added that the former rebel leaders would convey the government’s proposals to their cadres and report back.

Among the committee’s core demands are land rights for indigenous people and the withdrawal of all pending cases against surrendered militants. The blockade is set to continue through Sunday as organizers push for government action on their outstanding concerns.