BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 7th January 2026 : Surrendered militant organizations have accused the state government of deliberately delaying the revival of rehabilitation projects and the withdrawal of all pending cases against former militants who have returned to the mainstream. They warned that if their demands are not addressed immediately, they will be forced to launch a larger agitation in the coming days.
Addressing a press conference at the Agartala Press Club today, leaders of the organizations expressed strong resentment against the state government. They alleged that despite repeatedly placing their demands, the government has neither initiated dialogue nor taken any concrete steps to resolve the issues.
The leaders recalled that on December 22, they had blocked the Assam–Agartala National Highway to press for their demands. During the blockade, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Jirania reportedly held discussions with them and conveyed that he had been sent on behalf of Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma. They were assured that a meeting with the minister would be held on December 23. Trusting this assurance and considering public interest, the organizations claimed they withdrew the blockade.
However, when a five-member delegation of the central committee reached the minister’s conference hall on the scheduled day, officials of the Tribal Welfare Department informed them that the minister had gone to Chawmanu due to an urgent meeting.
Terming the incident a “breach of trust,” the leaders expressed deep disappointment. “He is a minister and had given us his word, but he failed to honor it. We never expected such negligence,” they said. They further warned that if the Tribal Welfare Minister does not sit for talks with them by January 26, they would be compelled to launch a larger movement.
At the press conference, the organizations reiterated their key demands, which include the immediate release of the remaining ₹23 crore from the ₹45 crore rehabilitation package announced by the former Left Front government in 2007, restoration of fencing assistance under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission to its previous level of Rs 16,800 per year (currently reduced to Rs 6,000), and withdrawal of all pending court cases against surrendered militants.
The threat of agitation by the surrendered militant groups has added fresh pressure to state politics. Political circles are now closely watching the steps the government will take to prevent the situation from escalating further.
