Guwahati: The central government has inked a tripartite peace agreement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), marking the end of a 35-year-long insurgency in the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the rebel groups that the government would implement every aspect of the pact, ensuring a new era of peace and progress in Tripura.
The agreement, signed at the North Block in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior officials, paves the way for the return of over 328 insurgents to the mainstream. The government has allocated Rs 250 crore for the development of areas dominated by tribal groups, a key demand of the rebel groups.
Shah emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to the all-round development of the Northeast, particularly tribal communities while preserving their culture, language, and identity.
He also spoke of the signing of 12 peace agreements in the region, resulting in over 10,000 insurgents laying down arms and joining the mainstream.
The NLFT was formed on March 12, 1989 with an objective to secede from India and establish an independent Tripuri state through armed struggle.
The outfit was outlawed in April 1997 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The ATTF was founded on July 11, 1990 by a group of former Tripura National Volunteer members.
The group is said to have been formed as the armed wing of the NLFT but split and later formed its own organisation.
On the same day, the Centre also extended the ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki for another year.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the Central government and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) mutually decided to extend the Ceasefire Agreement with effect from September 8 for a period of one year.