Ex-Militants' Blockade Snarls Rail and Road Traffic in Tripura for Second Day A 72-hour blockade by a body representing surrendered militants entered its second day on Saturday, choking Tripura's main highway link to the rest of India and forcing the railways to cancel or reschedule several trains. Road and rail traffic across large parts of Tripura remained badly hit for a second straight day on Saturday, as a 72-hour shutdown called by a body representing surrendered militants showed no sign of easing. The agitation has choked the state's main highway link with the rest of the country and forced the railways to cancel, curtail or reschedule a string of trains. Blockade Points Across West Tripura A senior police official said hundreds of former militants, operating under the banner of the All Returnees' Rehabilitation Committee, have set up blockade points at three separate locations in West Tripura district: Hataikotor, Brigudasbari and Khowai Chowmuhani. Even as the disruption to road and rail traffic has been considerable, police said the demonstration has remained peaceful through its first two days. Tripura's Main Highway Link Cut Off The blockade at Hataikotor has hit the Assam-Agartala national highway the hardest, the route that serves as Tripura's principal road connection with the rest of the country. With this corridor effectively shut, the northeastern state has, for the duration of the protest, been cut off from the mainland through its main road artery. Trains Cancelled After Tracks Occupied At Brigudasbari, protesters moved directly onto the railway tracks, halting train movement through the state. The Northeast Frontier Railway subsequently said, in an official release, that it had short-terminated, cancelled or rescheduled a number of services, including several long-distance trains, while the tracks remain occupied. A Charter Rooted in a 2024 Peace Accord The All Returnees' Rehabilitation Committee represents members of seven surrendered militant outfits and launched the 72-hour agitation on Friday. Its overarching demand is the full implementation of an 11-point charter, and at the centre of that charter sits a tripartite peace accord signed in 2024, under which the militants had laid down their arms in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha. Among the other key demands listed in the charter are land rights for indigenous communities and the withdrawal of all pending criminal cases registered against the surrendered militants. Administration Holds Talks at Hataikotor West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said officials held discussions with former rebel leaders at Hataikotor on Friday to work through the outstanding points of the peace accord. Some of the demands raised, he said, were ones the government was ready to act on, adding, "The government is committed to implementing the accord in a time-bound manner." Kumar said the former militant leaders had agreed to carry the government's proposals back to their cadres and would convey a response to the administration at the earliest. With the 72-hour window still running, road and rail users across Tripura are left watching whether the Friday talks translate into a resolution before normal traffic can return to the state's highways and railway lines. What this means for you The most immediate effect is on anyone travelling to, from or through Tripura by road or rail right now, with trains cancelled and the state's main highway effectively shut. • Across India: Long-distance trains running through the Northeast Frontier Railway network have been short-terminated, cancelled or rescheduled, so passengers with existing bookings on affected routes should check train status before heading to the station. • In Tripura: With the Assam-Agartala national highway blocked at Hataikotor, the state has been cut off from the rest of the country by road; residents needing to travel out or expecting supplies by road should plan for delays until the 72-hour blockade ends. • For daily commuters: Local movement through Khowai Chowmuhani and Brigudasbari is also disrupted, so people relying on these stretches should expect detours or delays. • For businesses and traders: Goods movement in and out of the state depends heavily on this highway, so transporters and traders should factor in delivery delays while the blockade continues. Questions & Answers 1. Why is traffic disrupted in Tripura? The All Returnees' Rehabilitation Committee has been enforcing a 72-hour blockade on roads and railway tracks since Friday. 2. Which locations are affected by the blockade? Blockade points have been set up at Hataikotor, Brigudasbari and Khowai Chowmuhani in West Tripura district. 3. What has happened to train services? After protesters occupied tracks at Brigudasbari, the Northeast Frontier Railway short-terminated, cancelled or rescheduled several services, including long-distance trains. 4. What are the protesters demanding? They want full implementation of an 11-point charter, including the 2024 peace accord, land rights for indigenous communities, and withdrawal of pending cases against them. 5. Has the government responded? West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar held talks with former rebel leaders at Hataikotor on Friday and said the government is willing to work on some of the demands. 6. Is the Assam-Agartala highway completely blocked? The blockade at Hataikotor has badly hit this highway, which is Tripura's main road link to the rest of the country. https://trendkia.com/en/tripura/tripura-men-purva-ugravadiyon-ki-nakebndi-se-dusare-dina-bhi-thapa-raha-rela-saraka-yatayata-28034 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.