In a major development towards bringing peace to the North East region, over 400 militants belonging to the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) will lay down their arms before Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday (September 24).
Officials stated that the event, where militants from the banned outfits will surrender their weapons, will be held at the headquarters of the 7th Battalion of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) in Jampuijala. Notably, Chief Minister Manik Saha will be present on the historic moment as the leaders of these banned groups renounce violence and rejoin mainstream society.
"Around 400 insurgents of NLFT and ATTF will lay down their arms before the CM at the headquarters of the 7th Battalion of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) in Jampuijala," said an official of the Home Department.
Meanwhile, a senior state police officer, speaking about the historic event set for September 24, mentioned that the leaders of the two outlawed groups will surrender their arms, paving the way for lasting peace.
He also noted that the Centre has announced a financial package of Rs 250 crore for the rehabilitation of the militants from these groups, who wreaked havoc in the state for two decades starting in the late '90s. Thousands of people, especially non-tribals, were among those most affected by the insurgency led by these groups.
Memorandum of Settlement signed
It is also important to note that the historic decision over the banned groups renouncing the violence came after a Memorandum of Settlement was exchanged between them and the Government of India, and the Government of Tripura on September 4 in New Delhi. According to a release from the Ministry of Home Affairs, "The Agreement, signed in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, is a significant milestone in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and insurgency-free Northeast. Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of Tripura were also present during the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement."
Moreover, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, speaking on the occasion, remarked that it was a very important day for Tripura and the entire country. "Expressing confidence in the Modi government, NLFT and ATTF reaffirmed their commitment to the development of Tripura by ending a 35-year-long conflict in the state," he added.
