By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 31, 2026
Agartala, Aug 31 (FD) Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Monday told the state Assembly that there had been no negligence on the part of the government in addressing the rehabilitation-related concerns of surrendered extremists who have returned to normal life.
Responding to a discussion on a calling attention notice, Saha said the state government had been making continuous efforts to implement rehabilitation measures and resolve the legitimate concerns of surrendered cadres through dialogue and coordinated action.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed on September 4, 2024, between the Government of India, Government of Tripura and representatives of NLFT (BM), NLFT (PT), NLFT (VB) and ATTF. The agreement provides for rehabilitation of surrendered cadres and socio-economic development of tribal areas.
Under the settlement, each surrendered cadre was sanctioned ₹4 lakh as immediate financial assistance. The government informed the Assembly that the amount for 91 cadres has been deposited as fixed deposits with Tripura Gramin Bank. Surrendered cadres are also being provided vocational training and a monthly stipend of ₹6,000 for up to 36 months.
Their names have further been forwarded to concerned government departments so that eligible beneficiaries can access various welfare and development schemes.
Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma said demands concerning land allotment had been forwarded to district authorities. He clarified that the Tribal Welfare Department does not have the authority to distribute land, and such requests must be examined by district and sub-divisional committees under existing laws and regulations.
The Minister also informed the House that the Centre has sanctioned ₹250 crore under a Special Development Package (SDP) for the socio-economic development of tribal communities in Tripura for 2025–26 to 2028–29. DoNER issued implementation guidelines on September 9, 2025.
According to the government, 113 project proposals worth around ₹310.95 crore were received following consultations with surrendered groups and line departments. As the proposals exceeded the sanctioned SDP allocation by approximately ₹60.95 crore, the projects are currently being reviewed and prioritised.
The government also clarified that projects proposed on privately owned land cannot be approved under the SDP.
Saha said regular consultations with surrendered groups would continue and that rehabilitation measures, including vocational training and financial stipends, would remain part of the process. Eligible and feasible proposals will be processed according to the MoS, DoNER guidelines and decisions of competent authorities.
The Chief Minister also referred to reports of a proposed 72-hour Tripura shutdown from September 4, announced by representatives of NLFT (PT), NLFT (VB) and ATTF at a press conference on August 21.
He reiterated that the government remained committed to resolving legitimate concerns through dialogue, rehabilitation and implementation of agreed measures.
The Assembly discussion was attended by Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury and MLA Ranjit Debbarma. FD SB