NLFT Armed Group Leader Parimal Debbarma Arrested in Mizoram

News Desk

National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) armed group leader Parimal Debbarma has been arrested in Mizoram on 13 March 2021, after a tip off about his location from the Tripura Police, Director General of Police VS Yadav said. The 45-year-old self-styled leader of the outlawed outfit, who headed a faction of the outlawed outfit, was produced before a court in Mizoram. A team of Tripura Police officials have sought his transit remand from the Mizoram court on 14 March 2021, the official said.

The DGP also said the NLFT (Parimal Debbarma) faction was found taking ‘special interest’ in the Tripura ADC elections, scheduled on April 6.

“We found out that this faction was taking somewhat special interest in the ADC elections. We also came to know that some leaders of a national party are in touch with the ultras,” the official said, adding that all such leaders would be interrogated based on the progress of investigation.

Formed on March 12, 1989, with Dhananjoy Reang as its self-styled chairman, NLFT went through a series of splits. A small group led by Biswamohan Debbarma is the only active wing of the outfit apart from a small splinter group led by Parimal Debbarma. In a video briefing, DGP Yadav said eight cases were registered against the outfit including extortions, especially in bordering areas of Tripura.

Parimal was staying at Aizawl in Mizoram. According to the intelligence information Mizoram police picked him on 13 March morning. According to the sources, Parimal Debbarma has hideouts and supporters in Mizoram and parts of Assam; two other Tripura outfits NLFT (BM) and NLFT (PD) are operating in different places of Tripura.

Tripura saw massive bloodshed at the hands of several outlawed outfits like NLFT, ATTF, UBLF, TNV etc since the 1980s till early 2000s. All these outfits barring NLFT were dissolved by a combination of counter insurgency operations and attractive packages announced by the state government.

In 2019, NLFT (BM) outfit dealt a major blow when 88 ultras led by Commander Sabir Debbarma laid down arms before the police and BSF. Three top commanders of the outfit also laid down arms earlier this year and stated the insurgent group is suffering from several financial and moral crisis.