Agartala, 5th September 2026 : Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman on Saturday criticised the continued blockade of railway tracks and national highways by surrendered former militants, saying such protests should not be allowed to disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens.
Reacting to the ongoing 72-hour rail and road blockade, Roy Barman said those seeking rehabilitation benefits should pursue peaceful forms of protest rather than causing widespread inconvenience. He suggested that protesters could opt for an indefinite hunger strike if their demands remained unresolved.
Roy Barman said the rehabilitation of surrendered militants must be based on transparent and verifiable records. According to him, the authorities should examine details such as the number of people who actually surrendered, weapons deposited at the time of surrender and cases pending against them before extending rehabilitation benefits.He also questioned the basis on which large numbers of names are being considered for rehabilitation, stressing that genuine beneficiaries must be identified through proper documentation.
At the same time, the Congress MLA said the legitimate grievances of those who had genuinely surrendered and returned to civilian life should be addressed by both the Centre and the Tripura government. He, however, warned against extending rehabilitation benefits on the basis of fictitious names or claims that cannot be supported by official records.
Roy Barman also raised questions over the administration’s handling of the situation. He alleged that despite discussions between officials and the protesters, effective intervention to resolve the issue had not been visible on the ground.
He said the failure to properly address the demands of surrendered militants by the Central and state governments had contributed to repeated blockades. However, he maintained that disrupting railway and highway traffic could not become a routine method of protest.
The MLA highlighted the impact of the blockade on the public, particularly patients requiring urgent medical treatment and people travelling for essential work. The disruption of train and road services, he said, had brought significant parts of normal life to a standstill. Roy Barman said the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police had already held talks with the protesters, creating an expectation that the blockade would be withdrawn. Despite this, the agitation continued.
“If you want to protest, go on an indefinite hunger strike. Take the hardship upon yourselves, but do not make ordinary people suffer,” Roy Barman said.
