Traffic came to a standstill on the Assam–Agartala National Highway late Sunday night as a surrendered insurgent group, the Tripura Guerrilla Returned Demand Committee, blocked the road at Baramura in West Tripura. 

The group presented three key demands, including the immediate revival of a long-pending Rs 23-crore rehabilitation scheme.

A spokesperson for the group, comprising pre-1998 returnees who had joined the mainstream following talks with the Left Front government, explained the situation.

“An initial Rs 45 crore was sanctioned for proper settlement and rehabilitation on May 22, 2007. Implementation continued through 2018, but with subsequent government changes and the impact of COVID-19, all activities have stalled. Despite repeated follow-ups, we have received no updates. We now demand that the government utilize the remaining Rs 22 crore to restart the scheme,” he said.

The protester added that while the CM Rubber Mission facilitated the distribution of rubber saplings for three years without issues, this year the scheme was not implemented. “Funds for fencing the saplings were not provided. We have repeatedly approached officials, but nothing has been done. If the government fails to act, we will continue blocking the highway,” he warned.

Additionally, the group demanded the immediate withdrawal of all pending legal cases against members who have returned to normal civilian life.