Agartala: Feb 26: The ‘Amra Bangali’ organization has strongly condemned the recent blockade of the national highway by former militants, which disrupted the state board examinations and caused immense inconvenience to teachers, examinees, and the general public. On February 25th, former members of the Tripura United Indigenous Returnees People’s Council, who had surrendered at the foothills of Baramura Hill, blocked the highway for seven hours to press for their 21-point demands. The blockade ended after assurances from administrative officials, but the protesters have threatened to escalate their actions if their demands are not addressed.
This event has reignited painful memories of the 2017 IPFT-led 11-day national highway blockade, a time of considerable hardship for the people of the state. The ‘Amra Bangali’ organization recalled the traumatic experiences of the 80 June genocide, when Bengalis were violently targeted by the Sengrak Party, which led to widespread displacement, kidnapping, murder, and rape. The organization condemned the actions of the former militants and called for a judicial inquiry to investigate the 80 June genocide and all subsequent acts of violence, demanding justice for the victims.
In addition to seeking justice for past atrocities, ‘Amra Bangali’ called for the creation of development plans to ensure employment for the local population and the proper utilization of Tripura’s natural and human resources. The organization also demanded that the constitutional rights of Bengalis in the state be upheld, warning against false propaganda aimed at undermining their position in Tripura.
Criticizing the current BJP-led government, the organization accused the ruling party of fostering extremism for vote bank politics, claiming that this has contributed to the rise of militant activity in the state. Their statements reflect growing concerns about the political and social dynamics in Tripura, with calls for action to address both historical injustices and current challenges.
