By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 05, 2026
Agartala, Sept 5 (FD) Tension reportedly escalated at Baramura Hills on Saturday as a 72-hour road blockade by surrendered former militants entered its second day, leaving large numbers of vehicles stranded and causing difficulties for patients, passengers and examination candidates.
According to reports from the blockade site, patients travelling for medical treatment were among those affected. Concerns have particularly grown over the difficulties faced by critically ill patients and people travelling to catch flights or appear in examinations.
The situation reportedly became more confrontational after an ambulance carrying a patient from Teliamura was allegedly stopped during the blockade. Protest-related reports have alleged that supporters of bandh were involved in the incident and that it occurred in the presence of police personnel.
While emergency medical vehicles have reportedly received consideration in some cases, other stranded passengers, including critically ill patients, air travellers and examination candidates, continue to face difficulties crossing the affected stretch.
Hundreds of former militants blocked roads at Hataikotor, Bhrigudaspara and Khowai Chowmuhani, while protesters also squatted on railway tracks at Bhrigudaspara, a senior police officer said.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) subsequently announced the short termination, cancellation and rescheduling of several trains, including long-distance services.
The blockade severely affected traffic along the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Hataikotor, a key road link to the state. Police said the agitation remained peaceful.
Following a meeting with former rebel leaders on Friday, West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said the government was committed to implementing the peace accord in a time-bound manner. He said the protesters would discuss the government’s proposals with their cadres and communicate their decision to the administration.
The protesters’ demands include land rights for indigenous people and withdrawal of pending cases against surrendered militants.
Meanwhile, Tripura Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman urged the protesters to avoid blocking railway tracks and national highways, saying such actions disrupt the lives of ordinary people. He suggested alternative forms of agitation, including an indefinite hunger strike.
Roy Barman said genuine rehabilitation claims should be assessed through transparent records of those who surrendered, the weapons handed over and cases pending against them. He also called for the Centre and state government to address the legitimate demands of former militants while rejecting claims unsupported by surrender and weapon-deposition records.
The blockade is expected to continue until Sunday as the protesters press for implementation of the rehabilitation and peace agreement. FD JK