Six Surrendered Militants Arrested Over NH-8 Blockade at Baramura, Remanded them to Judicial Custody Until October 31

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 17, 2026

Six surrendered militants allegedly involved in blocking National Highway-8 at Hataikator (Baramura) in Tripura on Saturday morning were arrested following a confrontation with police and security personnel. According to the police account, the accused were produced before a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody until October 31. A subsequent police update, however, reported that the othe surrendered extremists had been released from the A.D. Nagar detention centre.

According to FIR No. 2026JRN022, registered at Jirania Police Station on October 17, a group of approximately 30–35 supporters of surrendered NLFT and ATTF members, allegedly led by Kaklaijoy Tripura, assembled at Hataikator near the Sadhupura Bridge, around eight kilometres east of Jirania Police Station. The group reportedly threatened a 72-hour blockade of NH-8 over three demands concerning their rehabilitation and other assurances allegedly made by the government.

The FIR states that the blockade continued until approximately 5:30 am on Saturday without permission from the competent authority. The police complaint alleges that the protest severely disrupted normal traffic movement along the highway during the Durga Puja festivities, affecting commuters, vehicles carrying essential commodities and other road users.

The police document further states that the disruption caused serious inconvenience to the public, including devotees travelling to and returning from Agartala for Durga Puja celebrations. It also raised concerns about emergency services and the movement of ambulances carrying patients.

According to the FIR, Executive Magistrate Arajit Debbarma, acting on behalf of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Jirania, directed the protesters to withdraw the blockade and allow normal movement of vehicles. However, the protesters allegedly refused to comply with the lawful directions and continued their agitation.

The Executive Magistrate subsequently declared the gathering unlawful and ordered the immediate dispersal of the assembly. When police personnel attempted to enforce the order and restore traffic movement, some protesters allegedly used criminal force to obstruct them, resulting in a confrontation.

The FIR identifies two police personnel, C/2207 Kajal Debbarma and C/1875 Prasenjit Das, as having sustained injuries during the incident. Both reportedly required medical treatment and were shifted to Champaknagar Primary Health Centre.

The complaint further alleges that one of the protesters, Kaklaijoy Tripura, removed his wearing apparel on the national highway in front of the public and security personnel, creating an obscene scene and humiliating a public servant on duty. It also alleges that he injured himself by hitting his head against a government vehicle.

Following the incident, police registered a suo motu case against six accused in connection with the alleged blockade, obstruction of public servants, use of criminal force and other offences cited in the FIR.

The six accused named in the police document are Kaklaijoy Tripura, also known as Kamthang, aged 42, of Rajmoni Raja Para under Chawmanu Police Station in Dhalai district; Bushan Debbarma of Birbabu Para under Radhapur Police Station in West Tripura; Swapan Debbarma, aged 48, of Jagat Bhandu Para under Champahowar Police Station in Khowai district; Gasiram Reang, aged 42, of Naising Para under Anandabazar Police Station in North Tripura; Choran Kumar Reang, aged 47, of Pipla Cherra under Damcherra Police Station in North Tripura; and Abisai Reang, also referred to as Abisai, of Naising Para under Anandabazar Police Station in North Tripura.

The FIR invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 121(2), 126(2), 132, 189(2), 189(3), 190, 191(2), 195(1), 196(1)(a), 196(1)(b), 223, 224 and 296(a). It also cites Section 82 of the Tripura Police Act and Section 8(B) of the National Highways Act, 1956. The precise applicability of these provisions will be determined through the legal process.

Police said the highway was subsequently cleared, restoring traffic movement.

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