Former Insurgents Call for Assam–Agartala Highway and Rail Blockade on February 20 Over Unmet Demands

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 11, 2026

A section of surrendered former insurgents in Tripura has announced plans to block the Assam–Agartala National Highway at Hataikatar and railway lines simultaneously on February 20, alleging repeated neglect and broken promises by the state government.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday under the banner of a committee representing surrendered militants, the leaders expressed strong resentment against Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma. They accused the minister of repeatedly assuring them of meetings to discuss their long-pending rehabilitation issues but failing to attend on multiple occasions.

The leaders said that despite being called for scheduled meetings, the minister cancelled them at the last moment without any prior notice. “A cabinet minister gives his word to meet us, but just before the meeting begins, it gets cancelled with flimsy excuses. This has happened several times. It is highly disrespectful and unacceptable,” they alleged.

They clarified that whether their demands are accepted or not is a separate issue, but cancelling meetings without notice after inviting them is an insult to the surrendered militants. “We are no longer interested in mere assurances or meetings. We want concrete action,” one of the leaders said.

According to them, a central government rehabilitation project worth Rs 23 crore was launched in 2007 for the welfare and resettlement of surrendered militants in Tripura. However, the project reportedly came to a halt after 2018. Since then, they have been given repeated verbal assurances that it would be restarted, but nothing has materialized.

The former insurgents alleged that the Tribal Welfare Department has shown complete apathy towards their problems. They claimed that Minister Bikash Debbarma himself called them for discussions several times but later cancelled the meetings without explanation, deepening their frustration.

Issuing a stern warning, the leaders announced that if the Chief Minister does not call an urgent meeting and take concrete steps to fulfil their demands by February 20, they will launch a major agitation. As part of the protest, surrendered militants from across Tripura will gather at Hathai Kotor (Baramura) and block the Assam–Agartala National Highway. At the same time, railway lines in the state will also be obstructed.

The announcement has raised concerns about potential disruption of road and rail communication in Tripura. The former militants urged the state government to take their grievances seriously and resolve the issue through immediate dialogue to avoid an escalation of the situation.

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