By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 01, 2026
Agartala, Sept 1 (FD) A delegation of surrendered militants from the NLFT and ATTF met Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma at the Civil Secretariat on Tuesday and held detailed discussions on their longstanding demands concerning welfare and rehabilitation.
The delegation, led by Kokla Joy Tripura, met the minister following a road blockade staged by surrendered militants on August 28 in the Khatayaktar area of Baramura. The protesters had raised several demands related to the welfare and rehabilitation of surrendered members.
Minister Bikash Debbarma had visited the blockade site on August 28 and assured the protesters that their concerns would be taken up constructively with the government.
During Tuesday’s meeting, senior police officials, the secretary of the concerned department and other government officials were also present. The delegation placed its demands before the minister, who, according to the representatives, assured them that the issues would be examined positively.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kokla Joy Tripura said the minister had listened to their concerns sympathetically and discussed possible ways to resolve the pending issues.
“The minister listened to our demands very positively. We discussed how the issues could be resolved. We are optimistic that the government will take the necessary steps to address our demands,” he said.
Debbarma said the government was taking the demands of the surrendered militants seriously. He pointed out that several issues were already being addressed under the supervision of the Central Government, while the state government was working to fulfil the remaining demands.
“We will review their demands positively. Many of their demands are already in the process of being resolved under the supervision of the Central Government. The state government is also positive about addressing the remaining demands,” Debbarma said.
The meeting has opened a fresh channel of dialogue between the surrendered militants and the state government, with both sides expressing optimism that the outstanding issues would be resolved through continued discussions and appropriate administrative measures. FD JK