Members of the surrendered insurgent groups ATTF and NLFT on Friday staged protests and blocked both the Assam-Agartala National Highway and a railway track in Tripura, pressing for the fulfilment of their seven-point demands.

The protesters blocked the national highway at Champaknagar and the railway track in the Brigudas area, disrupting normal movement and raising concerns over road traffic and rail services.

According to the protesters, they had surrendered several years ago following assurances from the Central and state governments regarding rehabilitation, financial assistance and other benefits. However, they alleged that most of the commitments made to them have not yet been implemented.

The protesters said they had repeatedly approached different levels of the administration with their demands, but no permanent solution had been reached. They also pointed out that similar road and railway blockades and protest programmes had been organised earlier in Champaknagar and other areas over the same issues.

Although the administration had assured them that their demands would be considered seriously during previous protests, the protesters alleged that no effective steps were subsequently taken to implement the assurances.

The agitation began from Friday morning, with protesters taking positions on the Assam-Agartala National Highway at Champaknagar. A railway blockade was also staged in the Brigudas area.

The protesters warned that the agitation would continue until their seven-point demands were resolved. They said they would not withdraw the blockade merely on the basis of administrative assurances.

They demanded that the Chief Minister and the Director of the Tribal Welfare Department personally visit the spot and hold discussions with them, along with providing specific assurances regarding the fulfilment of their demands. Only then, they said, would they consider lifting the road and railway blockades.

The simultaneous blockade of the national highway and railway track has raised concerns over inconvenience to commuters, passengers and vehicle operators. The administration has stepped up monitoring in the affected areas and is reportedly holding discussions with the protesters in an effort to resolve the situation and withdraw the blockades at the earliest.