Tripura CM Manik Saha
Agartala, Nov 28 – The Tripura United Indigenous People’s Council (TUIPC), an association of surrendered militants from various armed rebel outfits, is seeking a special central package of Rs 500 crore for the rehabilitation of returnees. The platform, formed by individuals who surrendered from groups like the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV), the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), alleges that the government has not fulfilled its promises made in the surrendered agreement signed in 1993.
Motha Ranjit Debbarma, a former militant leader and the current MLA of TIPRA, revealed that TUIPC leaders recently met with A K Mishra, Advisor of Northeast to the Ministry of Home Affairs, to present their demands. According to Debbarma, when the militants surrendered, the government sanctioned Rs 20,000 for house construction. However, many individuals did not receive the full payment, leading to difficulties in building houses.
Under the TNV accord, three demands, including the construction of a radio station and the generation of employment, remain unfulfilled. The TUIPC has requested the establishment of a model village for the rehabilitation of returnees and urged the initiation of employment generation initiatives, including providing vehicles. Additionally, they seek Rs 10,000 as a social pension for returnees aged 50 and above.
Debbarma emphasized that despite these requests, there has been no consideration from the government. As a result, the TUIPC has proposed a comprehensive package of Rs 500 crore to address the challenges faced by the returnees and fulfill the commitments made in the surrendered agreement.
