A peace agreement was signed between the Government of India, Government of Tripura, National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) at the North Block, New Delhi on Wednesday. 

During the signing of the pact were present— Union home minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister of Tripura Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, MP Biplab Kumar Deb, MDC Pradyot Kishore Manikya, MLA Ranjit Debbarma, central home secretary Govind Mohan, additional secretary Piyush Goel, director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, advisor Akshay Mishra, Chief Secretary of Tripura J.K. Sinha, and other top officials of the central and state governments. 

On behalf of NLFT, Bishwamohan Debbarma, Upendra Reang, Parimal Debbarma, Prasenjit Debbarma and on behalf of ATTF Alendra Debbarma singed on the agreement of peace. At the signing of the pact, Sonadhan Debbarma, Bikram Bahadur Jamatia, Bidyadhar Tripura, Kanti Marak (NLFT) and Rakesh Debbarma (ATTF) were also present.

On that occasion the Union home minister Amit Shah, welcoming the decision of NLFT and ATTF to return to the mainstream life said, with the signing of today’s peace accord Tripura has come a step forward on the path of peace and prosperity. He said, since Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister, he put forward the dream of a Saksham and Vikshit Northeast. 

The Prime Minister has not only been active at eliminating the distance with the Northeast by means of rail, air communication etc., but he has been instrumental in reducing the gap of heart with the people of this region. On the journey for the development of Northeast, by combining two concepts, Ashtalaxmi and Purvoday, the Government of India has come a long way. The Union home minister said, today’s peace accord is the twelfth one for the Northeast region and third for Tripura alone. Through these peace accords around 10,000 militants have shunned weapons and returned to the mainstream life. Today’s peace accord will also see the return of more than 328 members and associates of NLFT and ATTF to the mainstream life. And now onward they will be able to participate in the process of building Vikshit Tripura.

The Union home minister further said, the Government of India has allocated a package of Rs. 250 crore for the resolution of issues of the tribes of Northeast and their development.

He hoped that this initiative will help in eliminating the problems and complaints of the tribal people across the region. He said, whether it is Bodo land or the Bru migrants issue, the Government of India has tried to solve all issues at the ground level. As the door of all government schemes have been opened for the Bru migrants, similarly, the government will be careful about fulfilling the aspirations of NLFT and ATTF members. 

He also appreciated the role of Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Manikya in minimizing the grievances of the tribes of Tripura. He urged all to come forward for building a Sashakt Tripura. He said,  this government started its series of peace accords with the peace accord of Tripura only in 2019, adding that the Government of India is committed to ensuring social and cultural development of all sections of people in the Northeast by means of peace and developmental initiatives. The Union home minister congratulated the NLFT and ATTF members for signing this pact and once again assured that all the provisions in the pact will be implemented in letter and spirit.

At the peace accord signing programme chief minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha said, the Union home minister has played a proactive role in creating a peaceful environment in the Northeast and for that he expressed gratitude towards the Union home minister. 

Expressing satisfaction over the decision of NLFT and ATTF to return to the mainstream life and participate in the development process, the chief minister said, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and proactive guidance of Union home minister Amit Shah 12 peace accords have been signed in the Northeast during the last 10 years to resolve various complex issues. Out of these agreements, three have been signed with Tripura only.

The Chief Minister also said, there are many central and state schemes which have transformed the lives of tribal people. Under the able leadership of Prime Minister and benevolent guidance of Union home minister a bright future is awaiting for the people of Tripura. Terming today’s peace accord a milestone in the history, the Chief Minister welcomed the members of NLFT and ATTF and wished them a bright future in line with the spirit of ‘Sab Ka Saath Sabka Vikas’ policy.