New Delhi: In a historic move, the Centre on Saturday signed a tripartite agreement with the Tripura government and Tipra Motha to resolve issues faced by the indigenous people of the state.
According to an official statement, the agreement entails the amicable resolution of all concerns pertaining to the indigenous people of Tripura, encompassing issues such as history, land and political rights, economic development, identity, culture, and language.
The deal was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and hailed by every section of the northeastern state. The Home Minister termed the move a milestone in the history of Tripura saying that the Centre has looked at the future by honouring history, making amends and accepting today’s realities.
The Union Minister said that no one can change history but the Centre can always move forward by learning from the mistakes and keeping in mind today’s realities. He said that Tripra Motha and all tribal parties have played a constructive role in this direction.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha also praised the effort, saying it a historic step to ensure Viksit Tripura (developing Tripura). On social media, the CM said, “Govt of India, Govt of Tripura and Tipra signed the Tripartite Agreement. With this agreement, we have respected the history and accepted the realities of the present day. All the people of Tripura will work together to make Tripura Ek Tripura, Shreshtha Tripura. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah on the historic day for being always with the people of Tripura.”
Since assuming power in the Centre, the Narendra Modi-led government has made several efforts to establish peace, stability and ensure inclusive growth of the state by bringing all major forces together.
Here are some other agreements made by the BJP-led government in the past.
Also Read: Tripartite agreement signed between Centre, Tripura and Tripra Motha to work together
NLFT-SD Agreement (2019)
The Union Home Ministry signed an agreement with the Sabir Kumar Debbarma-led National Liberation Front of Tripura and 88 activists surrendered with 44 weapons at a ceremony. Under the agreement, a provision of a special economic development package of Rs 100 crore was made for the development of tribal areas.
Bru Agreement (2020)
An agreement was signed by the Centre, Tripura and Mizoram governments on January 16, 2020, with representatives of the Bru migrants in the presence of Shah for the permanent domicile of Bru (Reang) in Tripura. As per the agreement, 6,959 Bru families (37,136 persons) will be rehabilitated in Tripura and for their rehabilitation, in Tripura, a financial assistance/ package of Rs 661 crore will be given.
Bodo Accord (2020)
An MoU was signed on January 27, 2020, by the Centre, Assam government and representatives of Bodo groups to resolve the long pending Bodo issue in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A special development package of Rs 1,500 crore is also provisioned. After this agreement, 1,615 workers of the NDFB factions laid down their arms.
Karbi Agreement (2021)
In the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a historic Karbi Anglong Agreement to end the decades-old crisis ensuring Assam’s territorial integrity was signed in New Delhi with representatives of Karbi groups on September 4, 2021. After this, more than 1,000 armed cadres renounced violence and joined the mainstream of society.
Tribal Peace Agreement (2022)
To resolve the long pending issue of tribals and tea garden workers in Assam, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in presence of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah with representatives of eight tribal groups on September 15, 2022, after which 1,182 cadres of tribal groups joined the mainstream by laying down arms.
Assam-Meghalaya Inter-State Boundary Agreement (2022)
A historic agreement was signed in presence of Shah on March 29, 2022, to settle the dispute of six out of the total twelve areas of an interstate border dispute between the states of Assam and Meghalaya.
Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Inter-State Boundary Agreement (2023)
On April 20, 2023, a historic MoU was signed by the Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the presence of Shah. The MoU was a final agreement in respect of the 123 disputed villages and no new claims pertaining to any area or village shall be raised in the future.
Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) Agreement (2023)
On April 27, 2023, in the presence of Shah, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) to end violence and ensure the all-round development of the Dimasa people.
The representatives of the Dimasa National Liberation Army have agreed to abandon the path of violence and join the peaceful democratic process, and 168 armed cadres have abandoned violence and joined the mainstream of society as a result of this agreement.
Agreement with United National Liberation Front (UNLF) (2023)
The peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front. The central government and the Manipur government signed a peace agreement with the oldest armed group in Manipur, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), in New Delhi on November 29, 2023. This agreement ushered in a new era of peace, particularly in Manipur and generally in the Northeast. A Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC) was also formed to monitor the implementation.
Agreement with United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) (2023)
On December 29, 2023, the Government of India, the Assam government and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) signed a Memorandum of Settlement in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Under the Special Development Package, Rs 5,000 crore was to be provided over five years. A committee will also be formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the implementation of the time-bound programme to fulfil ULFA’s demands.
