Agartala, June 15: Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar today expressed concern over the sudden spurt in militant attacks, reflected in the killing of a party worker and abduction of 31 people over the past few days. Sarkar said the militants were trying to make their presence felt as they were demoralised by the return to mainstream of two groups of the National Liberation Front of Tripura — Nayanbasi Jamatya and Mantu Koloi-Kamini Debbarma combine.
Sarkar told the Assembly that militants belonging to the All Tripura Tiger Force and the Biswamohan Jamatya group of the NLFT, who had set up base in Bangladesh, were taking advantage of the gap in border security to sneak into the state and launch their offensive.
“We need 21 battalions of the BSF to guard our 856-km-long porous border with Bangladesh. But we have to make do with only 11 battalions,” he added.
Regarding the abduction of 23 non-tribal traders from Quari in North Tripura’s Kanchanpur subdivision yesterday, Sarkar said an Assam Rifles battalion had been posted in the area. “But because of the deteriorating situation in Manipur, the battalion had to be withdrawn for deployment there and a major vacuum emerged in the area”.
Sarkar said his government had apprised the Union home ministry of the abductions and sought help from Mizoram to curb the NLFT rebels. He, however, stopped short of saying that the outfit had hideouts in Mizoram. His statement in this regard had triggered a controversy last year with Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga firmly denying the presence of NLFT hideouts in his state.
Sarkar, however, said the place where yesterday’s abduction occurred was being used by NLFT rebels for transportation of arms and ammunition. Quari is located on the tri junction of Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh.
Sarkar hoped that the Centre would mount pressure on Bangladesh for dismantling militant bases. He was also optimistic that once the state’s border with the neighbouring country was fenced with barbed wire, militant activities would be checked.
The chief minister also hoped that the Tiger Force and Biswamohan Jamatya group of the NLFT would join the mainstream of life through peace talks with the Centre.