Surrendered Militants Warn of Statewide Road Blockades Over Unpaid Rehabilitation Dues

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 8, 2026

Tension is once again brewing in Tripura as a section of surrendered militants has issued a strong warning of renewed agitation, including statewide road blockades, alleging prolonged neglect and betrayal by the government over pending rehabilitation benefits. The Tripura Government’s declared rehabilitation package for surrendered extremists has allegedly remained only partially implemented even after more than a decade and a half.

At a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club on Wednesday, leaders of the Tripura Government Rehabilitation Development Council (TGRDC) accused Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma of failing to honour his public assurances. The organization claimed that attempts are being made to provoke surrendered militant groups once again due to continued denial of their legitimate dues.

According to TGRDC, a special rehabilitation package worth Rs.45 crore was announced in 2007 by the then Left Front government for militants who had surrendered before 1998. However, the organization alleged that only Rs.22 crore worth of projects have been implemented so far, leaving a substantial amount of Rs.23 crore pending. This delay, they said, has trapped former militants in prolonged bureaucratic red tape for over 15 years.

Angered by the non-implementation of the remaining rehabilitation projects, a section of surrendered militants blocked the Assam–Agartala National Highway on December 22, disrupting normal life. The protest was based on three key demands related to the pending package. Senior administrative officials rushed to the spot and assured the agitators that Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma would personally intervene and hold talks with the organization’s leadership to resolve the issue.

Following this assurance, a five-member delegation led by Niru Kumar Debbarma visited the Secretariat (Mahanakaran) on December 23 to meet the minister. However, they were informed by the Director of the Tribal Welfare Department that the minister had left due to an urgent engagement. Since then, the organization alleged, there has been no communication whatsoever from the department or the minister’s office.

The TGRDC leadership strongly questioned how a minister could go back on an assurance given through the administration in such a public manner. They warned that such actions send a dangerous message to society and undermine trust in the rehabilitation process meant to bring former militants back into the mainstream.

Terming the minister’s conduct as deceptive and insulting, the organization stated that it would no longer tolerate continued neglect and discrimination. They issued a final warning that if the pending Rs.23 crore rehabilitation projects are not implemented immediately and the demands of surrendered militants are not fulfilled, the organization will launch a larger statewide movement, including major road blockades across Tripura, in the near future.

The development has raised serious concerns over the fragile peace process and the handling of surrendered militants, with observers warning that continued delays could have far-reaching consequences for law and order in the state.

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