Tripura fears rebel rerun

Agartala, May 15 : The Tripura government is worried over the prospect of resurgence of militancy in the state in the run-up to the next Assembly elections, slated tentatively for February 2013.

Though rebel groups have been lying low over the past few years following largescale desertion and surrender by cadres along with vigorous anti-insurgency operations, the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has allegedly initiated low-key activities like abduction of farmers from remote areas bordering Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

Last year, rebels of the outfit had abducted 32 indigenous people, mostly farmers, at gunpoint from remote areas under Raisyabari and Damcherra police stations. While 24 of them returned home safely, the remaining eight reportedly died in rebel custody.

On May 7, four more farmers — Pradhanjay Tripura, Charmajay Tripura, Mongchang Tripura, and Rabijay Tripura — were abducted by the outfit from Bhagirathpara village along the Indo-Bangla border. A ransom of Rs 2 lakh has been demanded for release of the quartet, who are still in militant custody.

A source from the special branch (intelligence wing) of state police said the outfit had always stepped up activities in the run-up to Assembly polls since 1983 and the current year “should be no exception”.

“They have become weak over the past nine years and cannot do much to disrupt the polls. Given a chance, they may even surrender. What they want is political concession as given earlier to Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) in 1988, but the Left Front will never give any such thing to the rebels,” the source said.

He said Tripura State Rifles camps were still in place in strategic areas to prevent movement of militants within the state from bordering areas and these camps would be further strengthened. “Our report is that the militants are planning to attack TSR camps in remote areas for scaring them away, but it will not be easy because over the years the TSR has proved its mettle as a fighting force and this is the only force feared by the militants,” the official said.

He added that stray abductions or killings might mar the polls preparations but NLFT would not be in a position to cause largescale disturbance.