Tripura's NLFT wants ceasefire before surrender, CM Sarkar says that is not needed

The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has demanded ceasefire during dialogue to give up arms and sign a peace pact with the government.

But Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has made it clear to the federal government that the state government is totally against ceasefire though it welcomes peace talks.

Sarkar was speaking to reporters in the Secretariat on Wednesday evening.

The NLFT had approached the union home ministry to appoint former Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) supremo Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl and former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga as interlocutors for the peace process with the government.

They say a ceasefire must be in place during the dialogue that would lead to surrender and signing of agreements.

“Probably there were two rounds of talks with the NLFT, first in Shillong and then at Delhi. Practically I do not find anything much has come out of this dialogue,” said Sarkar.

“But the main thing is that talks are ongoing within the constitutional frame and which is positive because they used to demand for independent Tripura.”

“The second meeting took place a few months back but we found nothing much happened and they asked for little.

“Then we were informed by the government of India that the NLFT wants an interlocutor and suggested two names – Bijoy Hrangkhawl and former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga.  Bijoy Hrangkhawl has close links with the NLFT or they would not have suggested his name,” he further said.

Sarkar, however raised question on the intention of the NLFT and alleged that the militants were continuing their subversive activities alongside the dialogue.

“We have clearly said that they are in dialogue and they want to return back to normal life but at the same time they are continuing their extortion, abduction and ambush (security forces).

“These things cannot go hand in hand. Secondly, there was a proposal of ceasefire but we disagreed,” said Sarkar who is also holding state's home portfolio.

He said the security forces will be active in the state but will not seek confrontation with the militants until attacked.

Sarkar viewed that his government had been always in favour of peace talks and whether the militants talked with the central government avoiding the state or wanted the talk via a mediator was not an issue.

The Tripura chief minister in different platforms thanked the present government in Bangladesh for taking action against the militants of Northeast India who were utilising the Bangladesh territory.

But he says still there are a few camps of Indian militants in CHT areas.