New Delhi, 4 September: A Memorandum of Settlement was signed today in New Delhi between the Centre, the Tripura government, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). The agreement, witnessed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and others, aims to end violence and bring lasting peace to the Northeastern state.
According to an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been diligently working to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and insurgency-free Northeast. Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that this Memorandum of Settlement is the 12th agreement for the Northeast and the third for Tripura. He noted that through these agreements, around 10,000 insurgents have joined the mainstream by surrendering their arms, which has been crucial in preventing the loss of thousands of innocent lives.
Amit Shah stated that under today’s agreement with the NLFT and ATTF, more than 328 armed cadres will renounce violence, integrate into society, and contribute to building a developed Tripura and India. He added that those who abandon violence will have the opportunity to help create a prosperous Tripura as proud citizens of the country. The government of India is making every effort, with sensitivity, to implement all agreements to ensure the area’s development and address the root causes that drive people to take up arms. A special package of Rs 250 crore has been approved by the Centre for the overall development of Tripura’s tribal population.
The Union Home Minister highlighted that the Modi government has consistently implemented all agreements in letter and spirit. He mentioned that after the signing of the Bru-Reang agreement, thousands of Bru-Reang people are now living in their homes, with access to good schools, employment, and full benefits from government welfare schemes. The Ministry of Home Affairs will fully uphold today’s agreement, with all parties working together to build an empowered Tripura.
Amit Shah also noted that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was lifted from Tripura in 2015 and has been withdrawn from many parts of the Northeast. Instead of relying on armed forces, the Modi government is committed to developing the entire Northeast by preserving and enhancing the culture, languages, and identity of the region, particularly among tribal groups.
Under the agreement, the NLFT and ATTF have agreed to renounce violence, surrender all arms and ammunition, disband their armed organizations, and participate in the peaceful democratic process while maintaining the country’s integrity.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for establishing lasting peace, prosperity, and goodwill in the entire Northeast.
Opposition leader in the state assembly, Jitendra Chaudhury, remarked, “The two groups are now dying forces. They had played a key role in dislodging the Left Front government in Tripura. Some political parties benefited from their activities. The BJP also remotely benefited from these forces.” (With PIB, PTI inputs)