Traffic resumes on Agartala–Sabroom highway after eight-hour blockade over Bishramganja Nagar Panchayat row

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 7, 2026

Traffic movement on the Agartala–Sabroom national highway was restored on Tuesday evening after an eight-hour blockade staged by civil society organisations protesting a notification that included portions of Sixth Schedule protected areas under the newly declared Bishramganja Nagar Panchayat.

The protest, led by Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma, began in the morning at Pushkarbari in Sepahijala district, bringing vehicular movement on the crucial highway to a standstill. Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the road, causing severe inconvenience to daily commuters and office-goers.

The agitators opposed a notification issued by the Sepahijala District Magistrate, alleging that a fair portion of land governed by the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council had been unilaterally included within the Nagar Panchayat limits without the council’s consent. They demanded that Sixth Schedule areas be excluded and sought written assurances before lifting the blockade.

Following prolonged negotiations, the District Magistrate assured the protesters that a joint demarcation committee comprising elected representatives from the TTAADC and general areas would be formed to conduct a field inspection within 15 days. Based on the committee’s findings, disputed areas could be excluded if justified.

Chief Executive Member of TTAADC Purna Chandra Jamatia termed the notification a violation of constitutional protections, warning of governance overlap if the issue remained unresolved. After the assurance, the blockade was withdrawn and traffic restored.

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