NEW DELHI, Sep 4 : A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed between Government of India, Government of Tripura and representatives of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), here on Wednesday.
The agreement, that was signed in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, is a significant milestone to a peaceful, prosperous and insurgency-free Northeast, an official statement said.
On this occasion, Amit Shah said that ”today is a very important day for the entire country and Tripura”. Exuding confidence in the government, NLFT and ATTF reaffirmed their commitment towards the development of Tripura by ending 35-year-long conflict in the state.
He said that ”the government has not only bridged the distances between New Delhi and the Northeast through road, rail and flight connectivity, but also bridged the differences in their hearts”.
Shah said that the Government of India has resolved to develop the entire Northeast including Tripura by combining the concepts of ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and ‘Purvodaya’, in which today’s agreement will prove to be a milestone.
The Home Minister also underlined that today’s Memorandum of Settlement is the 12th agreement for the Northeast and the third agreement related to Tripura.
He said that through these agreements, about 10,000 insurgents have joined the mainstream by giving up arms. These 12 agreements have been majorly instrumental in preventing loss of thousands of innocent lives.
The Home Minister said that under the agreement signed today with NLFT and ATTF, more than 328 armed cadres will give up violence and join the mainstream of society and contribute not only in building a developed Tripura but also in building a developed India.
He said that those giving up violence will be able to contribute towards creation of a developed Tripura as proud citizens of the country. The Government of India is making wholehearted efforts with due consideration to all sensitivities in implementation of all the agreements to ensure development of the area and eliminate the reasons responsible for people to take up arms.
“The Centre has approved a special package of Rs 250 crore for the overall development of the tribal population of Tripura,” Shah added.
The Home Minister said that the Modi government has implemented all agreements in letter and spirit. Adding that after the signing of Bru-Reang agreement, today thousands of Bru-Reang brethren are living in their homes. Their children are studying in good schools, their employment is being taken care of and they are getting full benefits of all the public welfare schemes of the Government of India and the State government.
Shah said that the government will also fully abide by this agreement and the Ministry of Home Affairs will make every effort to meet everyone’s expectations. He said that all of us will work together towards building an empowered Tripura.
Under today’s agreement, NLFT and ATTF have agreed to abjure path of violence, lay down all their arms and ammunition and disband their armed organisations. Apart from this, armed cadre of NLFT and ATTF have also agreed to participate in peaceful democratic process established by the law and maintain the integrity of the country.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister and Union Home Minister for establishing lasting peace, prosperity and goodwill in the entire Northeast. (UNI )
Follow our WhatsApp channel
