Agartala: The indefinite blockade of the Assam-Agartala National Highway and railway line, called jointly by two organisations of surrendered militants, was withdrawn within an hour of being enforced on Wednesday after authorities assured the protesters that their demands would be addressed.
The agitation had been launched by the Joint Action Rehabilitation Committee (JARC) and the Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing pre- and post-1998 insurgent returnees. The groups allege that around 1,200 surrendered cadres remain deprived of promised rehabilitation packages, including land allotment under the Power Tilla scheme and livestock support under ARDB schemes.
The committees had earlier submitted a nine-point charter of demands and issued an ultimatum to the Chief Minister, warning that they would block the Bormura-Assam-Agartala highway and the rail track if no response was received following a memorandum submitted to the Tribal Welfare Minister on June 8.
Following the assurance from the administration on Wednesday, the organisations called off the blockade, restoring normal movement of vehicles and trains along the route. Officials are expected to convene a formal meeting with the committees in the coming days to discuss the charter of demands in detail.