Pre-Crisis Phase (September 9, 1949-December 20, 1978): Representatives of the Kingdom of Tripura and the government of India signed the Tripura Merger Agreement on September 9, 1949, and Tripura was officially annexed by India on October 15, 1949. On September 1, 1956, Tripura was granted autonomy within India as a Union Territory. Elections were held in the territory of Tripura in 1963, and the Indian National Congress (INC) won a majority of the 30 seats in the assembly. Sachindra Lal Singha of the INC formed a government as Chief Minister.
As a result of the influx of Bengali migrants from East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and other regions to Tripura in northeast India beginning in 1951, Tripura tribesmen formed the Tripura Tribal Youth League (Tripura Upjati Juba Samiti-TUJS) on June 10, 1967. The TUJS demanded the adoption of Kokborak as the official language of Tripura (Union Territory) and the restoration of land occupied by migrants. Elections were held in the Union Territory of Tripura in 1967, and the Indian National Congress (INC) won a majority of the 30 seats in the assembly. Sachindra Lal Singha of the INC continued as Chief Minister until October 31, 1971. The state of Tripura was placed under presidential rule from November 1, 1971 to March 20, 1972. Tripura officially became an Indian state on January 21, 1972. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on March 11, 1972 and the Indian National Congress (INC) won 41 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The CPI-M won 18 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Sukhamoy Sen Gupta of the INC formed a government as Chief Minister on March 20, 1972. Prafulla Kumar Das formed a government as Chief Minister on April 1, 1977. Radhika Ranjan Gupta formed a coalition government with the Janata Party (JP) and the Left Front (LF) on July 26, 1977. Chief Minister Radhika Ranjan Gupta resigned, and the state of Tripura was placed under presidential rule from November 5, 1977 to January 5, 1978. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on December 31, 1977, and the Left Front (LF) won a majority of the 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The LF was an alliance of left-wing political parties, including the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M). Nripen Chakraborty of the CPI-M formed a government as Chief Minister on January 5, 1978.
Crisis Phase (December 21, 1978-July 20, 1979): The Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) was established to promote Tripura independence from India on December 21, 1978.
Conflict Phase (July 21, 1979-August 12, 1988): Members of the TNV participated in an attack against government border guards near Biranjoypara on July 21, 1979, resulting in the deaths of two border guards. Some 380 Bengalis were killed in ethnic violence in the state of Tripura on June 20, 1980. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on January 5, 1983, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) won 37 out of 60 seats in the 60-seat Legislative Assembly. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 12 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Nripen Chakraborty of the CPI-M formed a government as Chief Minister. Tripura rebels killed seven individuals on October 15, 1984. The government offered a three-month amnesty to Tripura rebels beginning on January 1, 1985. Tripura rebels killed nine individuals near Ambasa on June 4, 1985, and killed five individuals in western Tripura on August 9, 1985. Tripura rebels killed four individuals in western Tripura state on December 9, 1985. Tripura rebels killed four individuals in southern Tripura on March 10, 1986, and killed five individuals in Amarpur on April 4, 1986. Tripura rebels killed 14 individuals in northern Tripura on August 29, 1986, and killed six government policemen near Ambasa on September 13, 1986. Some 50,000 Chakma refugees from Bangladesh migrated to Tripura state in 1986. The government banned the TNV on January 22, 1987. Tripura rebels killed ten individuals in Shivbari in northern Tripura province on July 15, 1987. Tripura rebels killed three government policemen in Ishanpara on July 16, 1987. Tripura rebels killed 22 individuals in the province on October 13-14, 1987. Tripura rebels killed 70 individuals in the province on January 29-31, 1988. Election were held in the State of Tripura on February 2, 1988, and the Indian National Congress (INC) – Tripura Upajati Juba Samity (TUJS) coalition won 30 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The CPI-M won 28 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Sudhir Ranjan Majumber formed a INC-TUJS coalition government on February 5, 1988. More than 100 individuals were killed in election-related violence in the state of Tripura. Government and TNV representatives agreed to a cessation of military hostilities on August 12, 1988. Several thousand individuals were killed, and some 200,000 individuals were displaced during the conflict.
Post-Conflict Phase (August 13, 1988-March 11, 1989): Some 425 Tripura rebels turned their weapons over to the government on September 10, 1988. Sixteen members of the CPI-M were killed in political violence in Birchandramanu on October 12, 1988.
Conflict Phase (March 12, 1989-present): The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) was established in opposition to the government on March 12, 1989. Supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Indian National Congress (INC) clashed on July 8, 1990, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. Former members of the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) led by Ranjit Debbarma established the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) on July 11, 1990. Supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Indian National Congress (INC) clashed in Udaypur on May 24, 1991, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. At least ten individuals were killed in political violence in the state of Tripura on June 8-11, 1991. Government troops launched an offensive against All Tripura Tribal Force (ATTF) rebels in the state of Tripura on October 28, 1991. On February 17, 1992, the eight members of the Tripura Tribal Youth League (Tripura Upjati Juba Samiti-TUJS), who were part of the governing coalition in the 60-seat Legislative Assembly, resigned in protest over more than 500 starvation deaths in tribal areas in recent months. Chief Minister Sudhir Ranjan Majumdar resigned on February 19, 1992, and Samir Ranjan Burman was sworn in as Chief Minister of an INC-TUJS coalition government on February 20, 1992. Eight members of the ATTF surrendered to the government on April 5, 1992. Some 218 members of the Tripura Liberation Organizational Front (TLOF), who had broken off from the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV), surrendered to the government on June 12, 1992. ATTF rebels attacked and killed four government policemen in Ganganagar District on October 4, 1992. Government police clashed with ATTF rebels near Chankhola on October 6, 1992, resulting in the deaths of eight rebels. Government police killed 16 NLFT rebels in Chakakujra on October 11, 1992. ATTF rebels killed three individuals at the home of a government minister, Rabindra Debbarma, on December 16, 1992. ATTF rebels ambushed and killed three government border guards near Dalpatipara on December 31, 1992. Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Burman resigned on February 27, 1993, and the state of Tripura was placed under presidential rule from March 11, 1993 to April 10, 1993. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on April 3, 1993, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) won 44 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 10 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Four individuals were killed in election-related violence on April 3, 1993. Two individuals were killed in political violence in the state of Tripura on April 8, 1993. Dasarath Deb of the CPI-M formed a government as Chief Minister on April 10, 1993. ATTF rebels ambushed and killed four government soldiers and two civilians in Rajchantal in western Tripura on May 25, 1993. Chief Minister Dasarath Deb announced an amnesty program for Tripura rebels on September 6, 1993, and some 913 ATTF rebels surrendered to the government on September 6-7, 1993. NLFT rebels attacked and killed six government policemen in northern Tripura on September 20, 1993. Tripura insurgents killed six Bengali villagers in Hawaibari on April 30, 1994. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed six individuals in the state of Tripura on June 9, 1995. NLFT rebels clashed with government police in southern Tripura on September 15, 1995, resulting in the deaths of three government policemen and one rebel. Tripura insurgents killed four government policemen in the state of Tripura on October 5, 1995. NLFT rebels killed eight Bengali villagers in Rathtilla on May 13, 1996. Tripura insurgents killed at least 23 individuals in Kalyanpur on December 13, 1996. NLFT rebels killed six government soldiers, one government policemen, and two civilians in the state of Tripura on December 20, 1996. NLFT rebels attacked the village of Jarulbachi on February 11, 1997, resulting in the deaths of 18 individuals. On April 3, 1997, the Indian government outlawed the ATTF and NLFT under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967. NLFT rebels attacked and killed 20 government soldiers in Khumlong on May 7, 1997. Tripura militants ambushed and killed 18 individuals near Cawmanu on June 10, 1997. NLFT rebels killed three government soldiers in Natunbari on July 30, 1997. NLFT rebels killed ten government border guards and 12 villagers in Dhalai District on November 7, 1997. NLFT rebels killed six government soldiers in Champraipara in Dhalai District on February 12, 1998. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on February 16, 1998, and the coalition led by the CPI-M (Left Front) won 41 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The coalition led by the Indian National Congress (INC) won 18 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Manik Sarkar of the CPI-M formed a government as Chief Minister on March 11, 1998. ATTF rebels ambushed and killed five government soldiers in Ampura on March 22, 1998. ATTF rebels killed five Bengali workers on a tea estate in the state of Tripura on August 5, 1998. NLFT rebels attacked and killed seven individuals in the state of Tripura on August 29, 1998. NLFT rebels killed four Bengali villagers in the state of Tripura on September 25, 1998. NLFT rebels killed a CPI-M leader in the state of Tripura on October 8, 1998. NLFT rebels killed eight individuals in western Tripura on October 10, 1998. NLFT rebels killed four Bengali settlers in Kanchanmala on February 2, 1999, and four individuals were killed in subsequent riots. NLFT rebels killed four individuals near Lungthaichara on March 8, 1999. Government troops killed eight NLFT rebels in Khedachara on March 9, 1999. NLFT rebels killed five Bengali villagers in Tulamura in southern Tripura state on April 10, 1999. ATTF rebels killed five government soldiers and one civilian near Takumbarin in southern Tripura state on July 10, 1999. NLFT rebels killed four Bengali villagers in Manu District on August 12, 1999. NLFT rebels killed four government soldiers in the state of Tripura on September 22, 1999. NLFT rebels attacked and killed eight government border guards near the village of Thalcherra in Dhalai District on September 26, 1999. NLFT rebels killed two government troops in Dhalai district on October 3, 1999. NLFT rebels killed three individuals near Agartala on October 20, 1999. ATTF rebels killed 18 Bengali villagers in Panchabati on November 14, 1999. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed eight government policemen in Banduar on November 22, 1999. NLFT rebels killed five Bengali villagers in Sripur in northern Tripura on December 9, 1999. Bengalis killed four Tripura tribesmen near Krishna Tilla on December 11, 1999. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed two government policemen near the village of Tairung on December 21, 1999. NLFT rebels killed three Bengali villagers in Sonamura in western Tripura on December 24, 1999. NLFT rebels killed five individuals in Karangichara on January 8, 2000. NLFT rebels killed four government policemen and one civilian in Dhalai district on January 22, 2000. NLFT rebels killed two civilians in Jirania village on January 25, 2000. NLFT rebels killed three individuals in northern Tripura on February 7, 2000. NLFT rebels attacked and killed five government border guards near Sidhicherra on March 24, 2000. NLFT rebels killed three Bengali villagers in Dafadarpara on April 14, 2000. NLFT rebels killed 12 Bengali villagers in Kalyanpur on April 15, 2000, and NLFT rebels killed three government soldiers near Kalyanpur on April 17, 2000. NLFT rebels killed eight Bengali villagers in Laxmipur on April 19, 2000. Bengalis killed nine Tripura tribesmen in the Khalyanpur region on May 20, 2000, and NLFT rebels retaliated by killing 18 Bengalis in Baghber and other villages on May 20-21, 2000. Tripura tribesmen clashed with Bengalis in western Tripura on September 19, 2000, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. NLFT rebels killed six civilians in the village of Rajani Sadar Para on October 27, 2000. NLFT rebels killed seven Bengali villagers in Barahaldi, and Bengalis retaliated by killing eight Tripura tribesmen in the same village on November 19, 2000. Government police and NLFT rebels clashed near Laldengabari on December 23, 2000, resulting in the deaths of two government policemen and two civilians. NLFT rebels clashed with ATTF rebels in western Tripura state on March 2, 2001, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. NLFT rebels attacked and killed 12 government police and five civilians near Bampur in southern Tripura on March 3, 2001. NLFT rebels killed nine individuals near Kalatilla in Tripura state on March 21, 2001, and NLFT rebels killed five individuals in Sikaribari in Dhalai district on March 24, 2001. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed eight government policemen and one civilian in the state of Tripura on April 26, 2001. NLFT rebels killed three CPI-M leaders in Radhacharan Thakurpara in western Tripura on August 31, 2001. NLFT rebels killed six Jamatiya tribesmen, including three leaders of the CPI-M, in southern Tripura on September 2, 2001. NLFT rebels killed 16 Bengali villagers in Singhicherre on January 13, 2002. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed four government soldiers in Ghagracherra in Dhalai District on May 29, 2002. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed six government soldiers in Debendra Sardarpara in western Tripura on July 26, 2002. NLFT rebels led by commander Suren Debbarma ambushed and killed 20 government soldiers in Hirapur in Gomati District on August 20, 2002. NLTF rebels killed nine government soldiers on October 9, 2002. NLFT rebels killed eleven Bengali villagers in Bankimnagar on January 26, 2003. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on January 31, 2003, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) won 38 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 13 seats in the Legislative Assembly. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed five government soldiers and one civilian in Snatarampara in western Tripura on February 26, 2003. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed five government soldiers and two civilians in Sindukumarpara in Dhalai District on March 29, 2003. NLFT rebels killed two Bengali villagers in Kumarghat in northern Tripura on May 6, 2003. NLFT rebels killed 32 Bengali villagers in western Tripura on May 7, 2003. NLFT rebels killed ten individuals in Kachucherra in Dhalai District on July 16, 2003. ATTF rebels killed four government policemen and one civilian in the state of Tripura on August 11, 2003. ATTF rebels killed two Bengali villagers in Lembucherra on August 14, 2008, NLFT rebels killed six supporters of the CPI-M in Duraicherra in Dhalai District on September 29, 2003. NLFT rebels killed three members of the CPI-M in Jirania in western Tripura on September 30, 2003. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed five government soldiers in the state of Tripura on January 3, 2004. ATTF rebels killed three government policemen on February 5, 2004. ATTF rebels attacked and killed six government soldiers in the state of Tripura on April 13, 2004. One faction of the NLFT led by Nayanbashi Jamatia declared a ceasefire with the government on April 15, 2004, although the faction of the NLFT led by Chairman Biswamohan Debbarma continued military hostilities with the government. Seventy-two NLFT rebels led by Mantu Koloi surrendered to the government in Agartala on May 6, 2004. NLFT rebels killed six government soldiers in the state of Tripura on May 17, 2004. NLFT rebels attacked and killed five Bengalis in the state of Tripura on October 21, 2004. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed 15 government soldiers in the state of Tripura on December 28, 2004. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed one government soldiers in the state of Tripura on March 7, 2005. ATTF rebels ambushed and killed three government soldiers in the state of Tripura on March 25, 2005. NLFT rebels killed eight Bengali villagers in the state of Tripura on September 25, 2005. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed two government soldiers in the state of Tripura on October 26, 2005. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed three government soldiers in the state of Tripura on November 21, 2005. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed three government soldiers in the state of Tripura on April 29, 2006. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed three government policemen in Hadukkoloy in Dhalai District on August 7, 2006. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed two government soldiers in Lungfung in western Tripura on October 20, 2006. Government troops ambushed and killed one NLFT rebel in the state of Tripura on November 7, 2006. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed two government policemen in Binan Hazariprara in western Tripura on March 6, 2007. Government troops killed two NLFT rebels in Halamtuicha in western Tripura on June 4, 2007. NLFT rebels killed a government soldiers in Swapnabari in Dhalai District on August 28, 2007. Government troops killed three NLFT rebels in Dagmabari in western Tripura on November 24, 2007. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on February 23, 2008, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) won 46 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 10 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Government troops killed on NLFT rebel in Tuikurmacherra on March 3, 2008. Manik Sarkar, leader of the CPI-M, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state of Tripura for the fourth time on March 10, 2008. Government troops killed one NLFT rebel in Atharamura Hills in western Tripura on May 26, 2008. NLFT rebels killed three government border guards and one civilian in Wadukcherra in Dhalai District on November 29, 2008. NLFT rebels killed eight villagers in Kusharambai in northern Tripura on November 10, 2009. NLFT rebels ambushed and killed two government border guards in Dhalai District on August 6, 2010. NLFT rebels killed one individual in northern Tripura on January 31, 2011. Ranjit Debbarma, leader of the ATTF, was captured by government police in the state of Tripura on January 22, 2013. Government police killed one NLFT rebel in Majimonipur in Dhalai District on July 23, 2012. Elections were held in the state of Tripura on February 14, 2013, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) won 49 out of 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 10 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Several thousand individuals have been killed and displaced during the conflict.
[Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP), February 13, 1997, May 7, 1997, June 10, 1997, July 30, 1997, March 22, 1998, April 11, 1999, August 12, 1999, November 16, 1999, April 17, 2000, May 20, 2000, April 13, 2004, October 21, 2004, April 25, 2005, April 29, 2006; Arnold et al., 1991, 138; Associated Press (AP), February 4, 1988, September 26, 1999, April 15, 2000, May 21, 2000, March 3, 2001, January 26, 2003, January 3, 2004; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), June 9, 1995, September 15, 1995, October 5, 1995, June 16, 1997, November 8, 1997, March 6, 1998, August 5, 1998, August 29, 1998, September 25, 1998, March 8, 1999, September 26, 1999, November 22, 1999, December 21, 1999, January 22, 2000, March 24, 2000, April 14, 2000, April 15, 2000, May 22, 2000, September 19, 2000, March 3, 2001, April 26, 2001, January 13, 2002, May 30, 2002, August 20, 2002, January 27, 2003, May 7, 2003, July 17, 2003, August 11, 2003, August 14, 2003, February 5, 2004, April 15, 2004, May 6, 2004, May 17, 2004, June 14, 2004, February 14, 2013, February 28, 2013; Brogan, 1992, 191; Degenhardt, 1988, 155-156; Keesing’s Record of World Events, November 1984, January 1986, March 1988, October 1992; Reuters, February 17, 1992, February 4, 1999, March 10, 1999, September 26, 1999, October 3, 1999, October 20, 1999, November 15, 1999, December 11, 1999, December 21, 1999, January 22, 2000, January 25, 2000, February 8, 2000, April 15, 2000, April 17, 2000, April 20, 2000, May 20, 2000, May 21, 2000, May 22, 2000, October 27, 2000, December 23, 2000, March 3, 2001, March 21, 2001, March 24, 2001, October 9, 2002; The Hindu, October 9, 1998, February 9 2013; Voice of America, September 25, 2005.]
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