Agartala: Traffic movement on the Agartala–Sabroom National Highway was paralysed for nearly eight hours on Tuesday after civil society organisations staged a road blockade in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, protesting against the inclusion of Sixth Schedule protected areas within the limits of a newly notified Nagar Panchayat.
The blockade was enforced from Tuesday morning at Pushkarbari, a key point on the national highway linking the state capital with southern Tripura. As a result, vehicular movement came to a complete halt, leaving hundreds of public transport vehicles, goods carriers and private cars stranded on both sides of the road. Daily commuters, office-goers and passengers travelling long distances faced severe inconvenience as the protest continued till late afternoon.
The agitation was led by Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma, along with activists from various civil society bodies. The protesters opposed a notification issued by the District Magistrate of Sepahijala district, which declared a significant portion of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council-governed Sixth Schedule area as part of the newly constituted Bishramganja Nagar Panchayat.
The demonstrators alleged that the notification was issued without seeking the consent of the TTAADC, which they said was mandatory under constitutional provisions governing autonomous council areas. They claimed the decision was taken unilaterally and ignored objections raised by local residents and tribal representatives. The protesters demanded that land falling under the Sixth Schedule be excluded from the Nagar Panchayat’s jurisdiction.
Following the start of the blockade, the District Magistrate, along with senior civil and police officials, rushed to the spot and initiated talks with the protesters. However, the demonstrators refused to withdraw the blockade despite verbal assurances, insisting on a written commitment from the administration.
After prolonged negotiations, the District Magistrate agreed to constitute a joint demarcation committee comprising elected representatives from both the TTAADC and general areas. He assured that a joint inspection would be conducted to ensure proper demarcation of land and address the concerns raised.
Following this assurance, the protesters lifted the blockade, and traffic movement on the highway was restored by evening. The joint inspection is expected to be carried out within 15 days.
“We are satisfied that our demand for a joint demarcation committee, including TTAADC representatives, has been accepted. The inspection will help resolve the dispute,” Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma said.
Sources said the notification had earlier been issued despite local opposition, triggering the blockade as a pressure tactic by civil society groups.
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