A committee representing surrendered former militants in Tripura has announced an indefinite blockade of the Assam–Agartala National Highway and railway network from June 5 if the government fails to address its long-pending demands.

Speaking at a press conference, leaders of the Tripura Guerrilla Returnees’ Demand Committee said they were compelled to intensify their agitation after seeing no meaningful progress on issues related to their rehabilitation and welfare.

Among the committee’s key demands are the immediate restoration of a ₹23-crore rehabilitation package and the withdrawal of all criminal cases pending against former insurgents who surrendered and reintegrated into mainstream society.

A former militant leader stated that members of the group had laid down their arms before 1998 and returned to normal life through negotiations with the then Left Front government. To support their rehabilitation and socio-economic development, the state government approved a ₹45-crore rehabilitation project on May 22, 2007, he said.

According to the committee, work under the project began in 2008 and continued until 2018. However, implementation reportedly stalled following a change in government and was further affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization alleged that authorities have since failed to clarify the future of the scheme.

The leader claimed that around ₹22 crore of the sanctioned amount had already been utilized, while the remaining funds remain unspent. The committee is demanding that the balance amount be released immediately to revive the rehabilitation programme and honor commitments made to surrendered militants.

Accusing the administration of repeatedly ignoring their concerns despite several representations, the committee warned that it would launch an indefinite blockade at key locations across the state if its demands are not met by June 5.

The proposed protest could significantly disrupt road and rail connectivity along the vital Assam–Agartala corridor, which serves as a major transportation lifeline for Tripura.