Liberating peace in Northeast; terror group NLFT(SD) signs ‘Peace Deal’ with Centre as they join mainstream

Agartala, August 10: Liberating a fresh air of peaceful environment, the terror outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura led by Sabir Kumar Debbarma (NLFT-SD) in Tripura has signed a Memorandum of Settlement with the Government of India and Government of Tripura to give up violence and join the mainstream. The memorandum is basically a peace treaty promising to end up vehemence and embrace peace.

As per the deal, the NLFT (SD) has agreed to abide by the Constitution of India and to shun the path of violence to join the mainstream. Peace talks with NLFT were initiated in 2015 and there has been no violence by NLFT since 2016. The Memorandum of peace was signed by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (North East) of Ministry of Home Affairs, Kumar Alok, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Tripura and Sabir Kumar Debbarma and Kajal Debbarma of the NLFT (SD).

 

The NLFT is a banned outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act since 1997 and has been involved in violence, operating from their camps across the international border. Eighty-eight cadre of the militant group will surrender on August 13. According to the Memorandum, NLFT(SD) members will return to the mainstream.

The surrendered cadres will be given surrender benefits as per the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme, 2018 of the Ministry of Home Affairs while the state government will help the surrendered cadres in housing, recruitment, education etc. The Indian government will also take up suggestions from the state government to take up projects for development of tribal areas.

The terror group had been responsible for violent activities including 317 insurgency incidents in which 28 security forces and 62 civilians lost their lives during the period 2005-2015, a press release by the government said. However, the group has now agreed to the surrender of its 88 cadres with their weapons.