Centre signs peace pact with 2 insurgent groups of Tripura, announces special package of Rs 250 crores

Guwahati: A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Centre, Tripura government and two remaining factions of the banned insurgent groups, National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), in New Delhi on Wednesday with an aim to end militancy in the Northeastern state.

Although a similar agreement with NLFT was signed in 2019, two factions remained out of the peace process, something which kept violence alive in the state. Formed in 1989, NLFT had carried out large scale violence till an agreement was signed in 2019. The other faction led by Biswa Mohan Deb Barma, with hideouts in neighbouring Bangladesh, however, continued the "armed movement to protect the interests of the tribals."

Home Minister Amit Shah, who attended the event for signing of the MoS, said more than 328 cadres of the two outfits would lay down their weapons and return to the mainstream as per the agreement while the Centre announced a special financial package of Rs 250 crores for development in the state's tribal-dominated areas.

"This is a milestone as it ends the 35-year-long militancy in Tripura and brings hope for ushering more development in the state, particularly in the tribal dominated areas. In the past 10 years, under Narendra Modi's leadership, we have signed 12 such agreements with various groups in the Northeast in order to end conflict and bring the region to the path of development," Shah said.

"The Centre will not only implement this act in letter and spirit but will also concentrate on addressing the reasons that prompt the youths to take up arms. The issues concerning welfare and development of our tribals will also be addressed," he said.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, who was also present, said the agreement with the NLFT and ATTF was significant in establishing peace in the state.

Tipra Motha Chief Pradyot Deb Barma said, "With the signing of this agreement today, now we can all work together to work on the TIPRASA Accord, which was signed on March 4, to address the identity and cultural issues of the indigenous Tiprasa people."

Deb Barma earlier appealed to the NLFT and ATTF to come forward for talks.