Tripura train services and traffic hit as surrendered militants’ blockade enters second day

Train services and road traffic were disrupted across parts of Tripura on Saturday as a blockade by surrendered militants entered its second day.

Hundreds of former militants under the All Returnees’ Rehabilitation Committee blocked roads at Hataikotor, Brigudasbari and Khowai Chowmuhani in West Tripura, a senior police officer said. Protesters also occupied railway tracks at Brigudasbari.

The Northeast Frontier Railway announced the short termination, cancellation and rescheduling of several trains, including long-distance services. Traffic on the Assam-Agartala national highway, a vital link for Tripura, was severely affected, leaving the northeastern state isolated from the rest of the country.

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The blockade has disrupted train services and vehicular movement, but it has been peaceful.

The committee, which represents seven surrendered militant groups, began the 72-hour blockade on Friday. Its 11-point list of demands includes implementation of the 2024 peace accord under which the groups laid down their arms before Chief Minister Manik Saha, land rights for Indigenous people and withdrawal of all pending cases against surrendered militants.

West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said officials had discussed several points of the accord with former rebel leaders. “The government is committed to implementing the accord in a time-bound manner,” he told reporters. The former leaders said they would discuss the government’s proposals with their cadres before responding to the administration.

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The government is committed to implementing the accord in a time-bound manner.