The Central and the Tripura state governments signed a Memorandum of Settlement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the ATTF in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The MoS was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Manik Saha among others. Shah termed the agreement important and a giant step toward peace in the region.
After the inking, Amit Shah hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making this deal possible, which would bring peace to the Northeast. “It’s a moment of joy that after 35 years of struggle, these armed groups have laid down their weapons and joined the mainstream,” said Shah. He pointed to Modi’s commitment to the development of the Northeast through dialogue and peace.
Shah explained that Modi’s approach had reduced the gap between Delhi and the Northeast. “There was a long distance between the people of the Northeast and Delhi. PM Modi reduced this gap by improving road, rail, and air connectivity, and he also connected people’s hearts,” Shah said.
The signing of this peace pact is expected to pave the way for over 300 armed cadres to integrate into the mainstream. “This is the 12th peace pact for the Northeast and the third for Tripura. About 10,000 insurgents have so far laid down arms and joined the mainstream. Today, with the NLFT and ATTF agreement, about 328 more armed cadres will join the mainstream,” Shah said.
Chief Minister Saha hailed Amit Shah for his role in bringing peace and prosperity to the Northeast. While also thanking the peace agreements signed during Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister within the last ten years. “I want to thank Home Minister Amit Shah for his role in bringing an atmosphere of peace and goodwill in the Northeast. Under the leadership of PM Modi, because of the proactive initiative taken by Amit Shah. During the last 10 years, we have signed a dozen peace agreements to deal with many complex issues. As far as Tripura alone is concerned, there have been three agreements so far,” Saha said.
Saha went on overpraising the effort by Modi even more. “It’s gratifying to see that members of NLFT and ATTF have come forward to join the mainstream. And be a part of the development journey led by our Prime Minister. A bright future for Tripura looks abreast under PM Modi’s leadership and HM Amit Shah’s guidance,” he added.
The peace treaty is a milestone in the series of negotiations on peacemaking that have been going on for the solution of chronic conflicts within the region. This memorandum of settlement aims at the integration of the finally laid-down arms-carrying insurgents into the social mainstream for stability. And development in Tripura and the larger Northeastern area. Both the Central and the Tripura state governments are expecting this to mark the beginning of more progress and peace in the region.
ANI
