Centre Seals Peace Deal With Two Insurgent Groups Of Tripura, Ending 35-Year Long Conflict

The Centre, the Tripura government, and two remaining factions of banned insurgent groups—the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)— have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) in New Delhi on Wednesday (4 September) with the objective of putting an end to militancy in Tripura.

While the NLFT entered into a peace agreement in 2019, two factions did not participate in the process, leaving room for continued violence in Tripura.

Since its formation in 1989, the NLFT had been responsible for large-scale violence till the agreement was signed in 2019.

However, the faction led by Biswa Mohan Deb Barma, which was operating from hideouts in Bangladesh, kept up an "armed movement to protect the interests of the tribals."

At the MoS signing event, Home Minister Amit Shah announced that over 328 members from the two insurgent factions would surrender their arms and return to the mainstream.

Additionally, the Centre has committed a financial package worth Rs 250 crores aimed at developing the tribal-dominated regions of Tripura.

"A new milestone is set today in Tripura's ongoing journey towards peace and progress with the signing of an agreement between the Govt. of India, the Govt. of Tripura, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), and the All-Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)," Shah said in a post on X.

"The NLFT and the ATTF have agreed to end a 35-year-long conflict and return to the mainstream, renouncing violence and committing to building a prosperous and developed Tripura, reposing their trust in the government led by PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji," he added.

"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.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who was present at the signing, emphasised the importance of the agreement with the NLFT and ATTF in establishing peace in the state.

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