Guwahati:

Two insurgent groups in Tripura have agreed to give up arms and join the mainstream in a historic peace agreement signed with the Centre and the state government. With the singing of this agreement, Tripura is left with no insurgent groups after many decades.

“Today is a historic day for us. The struggle that we saw for the last 35 years, today I’m glad these groups have put down weapons and are walking on the path to peace,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

He said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been working tirelessly to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed northeast, free from extremism, violence and conflict.

The two groups are the National Liberation Front of Tripura, and All Tripura Tiger Force.

Mr Shah said 328 members of the groups that have laid down arms will be integrated into society.

“We have invested Rs 2,500 crore for development of this region as well. We are not only signing peace agreements, but also implementing them on the ground,” the Home Minister said.

Tripura takes another step towards peace and prosperity with the signing of the agreement between the Government of India, Government of Tripura, National Liberation Front of Tripura, and All Tripura Tiger Force.
https://t.co/EZKhVM1vy1

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 4, 2024

“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the government has signed 12 important agreements to bring peace and prosperity in the northeast region, of which three relate to Tripura,” he said, adding 10,000 people have given up arms and joined the mainstream due to these agreements.

Pradyot Manikya Debburman, the founder of the Tipra Motha Party which is now an alliance parter of the BJP government in the state, also played a key role in the peace-building process in Tripura.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and senior officials of the MHA and the state government attended the signing of the peace agreement.

New Delhi:

The Centre on Tuesday banned Tripura-based insurgent groups the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) as well as their associate organisations for five years for their involvement in various subversive activities and threatening the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

In a notification, the Union home ministry said the professed aim of the NLFT and the ATTF is the establishment of an independent nation by the secession of Tripura from India through an armed struggle in alliance with other armed secessionist organisations of the northeastern state and to incite the indigenous people of Tripura for such secession.

The Centre is of the opinion that the NLFT and the ATTF have been engaging in subversive and violent activities, thereby undermining the authority of the government and spreading terror and violence among people for achieving their objectives, the ministry said.

The two groups, in pursuance of their aims and objectives in the recent past, engaged in violent and unlawful activities, “which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India”, it added.

These groups are also involved in killing civilians and personnel belonging to the police and security forces and engaged in extortion of funds from the public, including businessmen and traders, the notification said.

The NLFT and the ATTF have established and maintained camps in neighbouring countries for the purpose of a safe sanctuary, training, procurement of arms and ammunition etc.

The notification said the Centre is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of the NLFT and the ATTF are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they are unlawful associations.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the NLFT along with all its factions, wings and front organisations and the ATTF along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations,” the notification said.

The home ministry said the ban will be effective for five years. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)