Agartala: Leaders representing surrendered members of the NLFT and ATTF on Friday announced a 72-hour statewide shutdown in Tripura from September 4, alleging that key commitments under an agreement signed in 2024 for their rehabilitation and financial package remain unimplemented.
At a press conference at the Agartala Press Club, the leaders said the shutdown would begin on September 4 and continue for 72 hours. They also threatened road blockades at several locations if their demands were not addressed.
They said the proposed blockades would include Churaibari, the Assam-Agartala road and the Akhaura Road connecting Tripura with the India-Bangladesh border.
NLFT leaders Parimal Debbarma and Prasenjit Debbarma were among those present at the press conference, along with other representatives of surrendered NLFT and ATTF members.
The leaders said the decision followed what they described as repeated assurances from the government regarding implementation of the September 4, 2024, agreement signed in Delhi.
They said the agreement was expected to provide a framework for rehabilitation after the members surrendered their arms, but several of its provisions had not yet been implemented.
One of the leaders said the members surrendered their weapons with the expectation of returning to normal civilian life and urged the government to implement the commitments made under the agreement.
The leaders also referred to a blockade held on June 12, 2026, over the pending demands. They said government representatives had met them during the agitation and requested them to withdraw the blockade.
According to the leaders, the Tribal Welfare Minister and the IGP assured them that their demands would be addressed, with some issues to be resolved within two days and the remaining demands considered within a week.
Another leader said the representatives subsequently met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on June 17, when issues concerning surrendered cadres, pending cases and other matters related to implementation of the agreement were discussed.
The leaders, however, said they remained dissatisfied with the progress and demanded clarity from the government and concerned departments on the steps taken to implement the agreement.
They also raised issues concerning the rehabilitation package, financial benefits, surrendered cadres and pending cases.
The leaders said they did not want a prolonged confrontation with the government and maintained that they had surrendered their weapons to leave their previous life behind and live as ordinary citizens.
They recalled the surrender ceremony at the 7th Battalion headquarters in Sepahijala in 2024, saying Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha had received the surrendered members and their weapons at the time.
The leaders said further decisions would be taken if their demands remained unresolved during the proposed agitation.