Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Wednesday that India has signed over 12 peace accords in the past five years with various militant groups in the northeastern region.
Shah revealed that more than 10,000 militants from different extremist factions have surrendered and reintegrated into mainstream society.
The announcement came during a signing ceremony in the national capital, where Home Minister Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials, and Tripura government representatives were present.
The accords were signed with two significant insurgent groups – the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF).
Addressing the gathering, Shah highlighted that after 35 years of armed struggle, the cadres of NLFT and ATTF have decided to abandon their militant activities and contribute to the development process.
"Around 328 cadres from these two outfits will now join mainstream society and participate in development initiatives," Shah said.
The government has sanctioned a Rs 250 crore package specifically for the development of tribal areas affected by insurgency. This initiative aims to support the reintegrated militants and foster peace in the region.
Shah assured that the government would implement the agreement's provisions comprehensively.
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the northeast, noting the significant progress in infrastructure development.
"Through the Ashtalakshmi concept and Purvodaya vision of Prime Minister Modi, the region has seen substantial development in road, rail, and air connectivity. The gap between the northeastern states and Delhi has been bridged, leading to tremendous development," Shah added.
The agreement signing ceremony was also attended by former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Member Biplab Kumar Deb, Tipra Motha Party leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and senior officials from the MHA and Tripura government.
A Tripura government official highlighted a previous tripartite agreement signed on August 10, 2019, which led to the surrender of 88 NLFT cadres. These individuals deposited their arms and were provided benefits under the MHA's Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme, 2018.
The state government assisted these former militants with housing, government job recruitment, education, and skill development training.
Both the NLFT and ATTF have been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act since 1997 due to their involvement in violent activities and insurgency-related incidents between 2005 and 2015. Peace talks with the NLFT began in 2015, and the group has not been involved in major violence since 2016.
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