Agartala, March 7: Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma on Saturday urged residents of Tripura’s hill regions to remain vigilant against forces that may attempt to disturb the hard-earned peace in the state, recalling the fear and violence that marked the 1990s.
Addressing people during the ‘Janatar Katha Shona’ programme at the 43 Mile area under Krishnapur constituency, the minister said the region once experienced a prolonged period of insecurity when armed groups operated in the hills, creating an atmosphere of fear among ordinary citizens.
“There was a time when people here lived in constant fear,” Debbarma said. “Teachers could not travel safely to schools, and families spent sleepless nights worried that armed groups might knock on their doors. Many breadwinners were taken away from their homes, and in some cases families never even learned what happened to them.”
The minister recalled that the hill areas had witnessed incidents of kidnappings, extortion, and violent activities during that period, which left deep scars in many communities. He specifically mentioned the activities of the All Tripura Tiger Force, a militant outfit that operated in the state during the 1990s and was banned in 1997 following widespread allegations of violence and insurgent activities.
Reflecting on the present situation, Debbarma said Tripura has undergone significant transformation over the years. “Today the situation is completely different. Markets are active, schools are functioning smoothly, and tourists are visiting the hills. Development has reached many areas that once remained isolated,” he said.
However, he cautioned that attempts are still made by certain groups to disturb communal harmony and stability in the region. “We must remain alert and united to ensure that those dark days never return,” he added.
Several local residents who attended the programme also shared memories of the troubled past. They recalled how villages would turn silent after dusk, lights were kept off, and people lived cautiously to avoid attracting attention.
While Tripura has largely moved forward, the minister’s remarks highlighted that memories of the turbulent 1990s still remain vivid for many in the hill communities.
