By Firstdespatch Feb 26, 2025
Agartala, Feb 26 (FD) A road blockade staged by former insurgents of the Tripura United Indigenous Returnees People's Council at the foothills of Baramura Hills caused severe inconvenience during the ongoing board examinations.
The protest, which lasted for nearly seven hours, disrupted the movement of students, teachers, and common citizens. The demonstrators were pressing for their 21-point demands, prompting an intervention from administrative officials.
Following assurances from authorities, the blockade was lifted. However, the protesters have warned of a larger agitation if their demands remain unfulfilled.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2017 national highway blockade by the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), which lasted 11 days and caused immense hardships across the state.
Historical Grievances and Political Accusations
The political tensions surrounding the blockade have revived discussions about historical atrocities and past conflicts in Tripura. Many still recall the horrors of the 1980 ethnic violence, the Sengkrak Party’s anti-Bengali attacks, and the brutal acts of insurgent groups like ATTF and NLFT, which involved kidnappings, killings, and forced displacement of Bengalis from remote ADC areas. Despite repeated demands, no judicial inquiry has ever been initiated to investigate the June 1980 massacre, a tragic event that remains a dark chapter in Tripura’s history.
Political debates have also resurfaced over the alleged role of past governments in handling insurgency. Statements like the one made by former CPIM Chief Minister Nripen Chakraborty, who said, "If I were born in a tribal family, I would have become a militant too," have been cited by critics as evidence of the state's leniency towards militancy. Furthermore, policies under the Communist and Congress-TUJS coalition governments reportedly rewarded insurgents instead of punishing them. The TNV peace accord of 1988, which granted legitimacy and privileges to militant leaders, is seen as an example of appeasement politics.
'Amra Bengali' party demands following actions:
“In response to the recent blockade, the ‘We Are Bengali’ party has condemned the frequent disruptions caused by insurgent groups and demanded decisive action from the state government. Their primary demands include:
1. Formation of a Judicial Inquiry Commission to investigate and punish those responsible for the June 1980 massacre and subsequent violent incidents.
2. Compensation, security, and rehabilitation for all affected individuals—both tribal and non-tribal.
3. Job opportunities for all citizens through sustainable block-based development planning.
4. Protection of Bengali constitutional rights and an end to false propaganda against the community.
With political tensions rising, the government faces increasing pressure to address these concerns while maintaining peace and stability in the state”. FD SB JK