72-hour Tripura strike by surrendered militant groups disrupts traffic

Road and railway services were disrupted across Tripura on Friday after three surrendered militant groups began a 72-hour statewide strike over a six-point list of demands, including the implementation of a 2024 tripartite agreement under which they had surrendered their arms.

The three groups — National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) (Original), NLFT (PD) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) — signed the tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government in 2024 and laid down their arms.

However, the groups have alleged that their demands under the agreement have not yet been fulfilled.

"Due to the vehicular and rail blockade, normal life was disrupted as the Assam-Agartala national highway was blocked at Hataikotor. Additional forces have been deployed as part of precautionary measures," state police spokesperson Rajdeep Deb said.

The blockade took place ahead of a high-level meeting scheduled in New Delhi on Friday between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Manik Saha and Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma.

The meeting is expected to discuss the implementation of the tripartite agreement signed in 2024, Tipra Motha general secretary Brishaketu Debbarma said on Thursday.

"We will not forge any alliance for the elections to Village Committees until written assurance of protecting the constitutional rights of the indigenous people promised in the agreement," he said before leaving for Delhi.

The three surrendered militant groups had earlier launched a blockade of the railway network and national highway on June 12, 2026, demanding proper rehabilitation of surrendered militants.

They later withdrew the agitation following an appeal from the state government to address their concerns.  (with inputs from PTI)