Agartala: As per prior announcement, members of surrendered militant organisations blocked the national highway and rail tracks at Bormura Hataikatar, Mohanpur’s Khowai Choumuni, and Brigudas areas from 6 am on Friday, pressing various demands.
Facing the media over the shutdown programme at Mohanpur Khowai Choumuni, ATTF’s Assistant Secretary Sukumar Debbarma said the government had failed to fulfil the promises it had made, which prompted the blockade. He added that if the government accepted their demands, the protesters were prepared to withdraw the 72-hour shutdown even on the same day.
The blockade caused disruption to both road and rail traffic in the affected areas, inconveniencing commuters since early morning. The surrendered militant organisations have been demanding implementation of the assurances given to them earlier by the state government, though specific details of the pending promises were not immediately elaborated upon by the protesters.
Security personnel were deployed in the affected stretches to monitor the situation. Authorities are yet to respond officially to the demands raised by the protesters. The blockade is expected to continue for 72 hours unless the government intervenes and addresses the grievances raised by the organisations.