Few people using ex-militants for TTAADC gains: Tripura CM

Agartala, Feb 12: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, on Thursday, alleged that there was a time in the state when outlawed insurgent groups such as the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) were created “to remain in power”, even as he asserted that the BJP-led government has worked to bring lasting peace and development to tribal areas.

Addressing a programme linked to a government scheme for indigenous communities, Saha did not name any political party or leader.

However, he referred to a period of insurgency from the late 1970s to the early 2000s, when the state was governed by the Congress-TUJS combine and later the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

“There was a time in the state when outlawed groups such as All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) were created only to remain in power. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who had brought the misguided youth to the national mainstream,” Saha said.

The Chief Minister claimed that the Centre has allocated Rs 250 crore for the rehabilitation of surrendered militants. He also alleged that “a few people” are now attempting to use former insurgents for electoral gains in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

The Chief Minister further stated that a Rs 1,400 crore World Bank-funded project is underway to develop tribal areas by strengthening infrastructure.

He maintained that the present government remains committed to the socio-economic advancement of indigenous communities, including the preservation of their culture, language and traditions.

“Most of the externally aided schemes are being implemented in the tribal areas of the state,” Saha added.

Highlighting the resolution of the long-pending Bru refugee issue, Saha said the BJP government had brought a “much needed solution” to the 23-year-old crisis to ensure a better life for the displaced families.

“Nobody had concern for the Bru people who were sheltered in refugee camps in North Tripura’s Kanchanpur subdivision before the BJP came to power in 2018. Under the guidance of PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the problem has been solved (in 2024),” he said.

According to Saha, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 800 crore for the rehabilitation of Bru refugees across 12 locations in the state. He added that the government is providing skill training to Bru youth to enable sustainable livelihoods.

“We have solved the vexed problem, but someone else is trying to take the credit, which can’t be allowed. The BJP-led government did its best to solve the problem,” he said, without elaborating.

PTI