The Centre and Tripura government signed a historic peace agreement with two insurgent groups, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tigers Force (ATTF), in a ceremony attended by Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday. This agreement marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and development in the northeast region.
Insurgent Groups to Disband and Join Mainstream
Under the tripartite memorandum of settlement, over 328 armed members of the ATTF and NLFT will lay down their arms, renounce violence, and dissolve their organizations.
Following the signing, Home Minister Shah announced a Rs 250 crore development package for Tripura, focusing on the state’s tribal areas while safeguarding their cultural heritage, language, and identity.
Shah Highlights Government’s Commitment to Peace and Development
Shah praised the settlement as a milestone in ending the 35-year conflict in Tripura and noted that it is the 12th peace agreement for the northeast region and the third for Tripura. Addressing the attendees, including Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tripura government, Shah emphasized the Modi government’s ongoing efforts since 2014 to build a developed and peaceful northeast through dialogue and infrastructure improvements.
Shah also acknowledged the role of Pradyot Debbarma, a member of Tripura’s former royal family, in facilitating the peace process with local tribes.
A Legacy of Peace Accords
Shah reflected on the government’s commitment to peace, citing previous accords such as those with the NLFT(SD) in 2019, and the Bru-Reangs and Bodos in 2020. He highlighted the 2021 Karbi peace accord and settlements with Assam’s Adivasi groups and the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute resolution in 2022. “The Modi government remains steadfast in implementing every peace agreement in both letter and spirit,” Shah affirmed.
