Bandh Withdrawn After Government Assurance as Police Prevent Road Blockade, Tiprasa Accord Pressure Intensifies

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 18, 2026

A proposed road blockade linked to surrendered cadres of former insurgent groups in Tripura was withdrawn after intervention by the state government, with Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma reportedly assuring the protesters that their grievances would be addressed within 72 hours.

The development has once again brought the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord into the centre of Tripura’s political discourse, while also raising questions over the growing use of road blockades and street protests to press political and administrative demands.

According to reports, groups associated with surrendered members of the NLFT and ATTF had planned or participated in road-blocking activities in areas including Hataikathar and the Baramura hills. However, police reportedly prevented the protesters from proceeding with a prolonged blockade, following which Minister Bikash Debbarma intervened and held discussions with representatives of the protesters.

Following the discussions, the agitation was called off after the minister gave an assurance that the issues raised by the protesters would be addressed within 72 hours. The withdrawal brought temporary relief to commuters and transport operators who had been apprehensive about disruption on important road corridors.

A similar pattern had emerged earlier this year when surrendered insurgents staged road and rail blockades demanding implementation of the 2024 Tripartite Peace Agreement. On that occasion too, Minister Bikash Debbarma and senior officials reached the protest site and persuaded the agitators to withdraw their blockade following government assurances.

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