NH-44 in Tripura declared escort free in daylight

By Prasanta Chakraborty: After 16 long years, Tripura govt. has finnaly decided to withdraw the escort system that obstruct the frequent movement of the vehicles through the national highway no 44. The much needed crucial decision was taken in the state level security coordination committee under the chairmanship of Director general of Police Pranay Sahay. After a brief appraisal meeting with the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the state Transport Minister Manik Dey, the DGP told the reporters that from the 14th September the national High Way-44 will be left open for the movement without escort from 8 AM in the morning to 5PM in the evening to give the passengers a sense of relief from the embarassing escort system.' We will put in place a separate mechanism withdrawing escort.

Mobile securitywill be on and drop gates will be eracted in the Agartala-Manu stretch, the DGP said adding that no vehicles will be allowed to ply through the NH-44 during night. The request of the Railway authority to grant permission for the movement of the trains during night, the DGP said the request is under consideration.

In 1993 the NH-44 was brought under security blanket due to massive extremist attacks and heavy casualities of civilians and security personnels throughout the state.The state govt. with the help of union Home Ministry first banned the two mejor terrorist outfits namely All Tripura Tigers Force and National Liberation Front of Tripura and than launched anti insurgency operation to end the five decades old menace. During the last few years activities of the banned extremists have reduced significantly with the surrender of more than five thousands cadres of ATTF and NLFT, paving the way for the government to decontrol the movement in the NH-44.