Agartala:In a fresh escalation of their long-pending demands, two organisations of surrendered militants, JARC and JAC, have announced an indefinite blockade and strike on the Assam-Agartala National Highway No. 8 as well as the railway line, starting from June 24.
The decision was announced after the organisations alleged that the state and central governments had failed to respond positively despite repeated appeals over an extended period. The agitating groups stated that their primary demands centre around the implementation of a long-promised rehabilitation package for surrendered militants, which they claim has been delayed for years despite earlier assurances from the authorities.
Leaders of JARC and JAC said that members of their organisations, who had surrendered arms and joined the mainstream in good faith, continue to face severe hardships due to the lack of proper rehabilitation measures, including employment opportunities, financial assistance, and other welfare benefits as originally promised.
They warned that if the government continues to remain indifferent to their grievances, the proposed blockade would severely disrupt the movement of essential goods, passengers, and railway services between Assam and Tripura, causing widespread inconvenience to the general public.
The organisations urged the state government to immediately initiate dialogue and take concrete steps to address their demands before the scheduled date, in order to avert the disruption.
Meanwhile, the announcement has triggered concern among traders, transporters, and commuters who fear that an indefinite blockade could severely affect supply chains and daily life in the state, given Tripura’s heavy dependence on the National Highway and railway connectivity with the rest of the country.