AGARTALA, August 15 (TIWN): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday unfurling the tri-colour national flag at Agartala Assam Rifles Ground on the occasion of 69th Independence Day had slammed the central government saying, “We need to change the centrally sponsored policy at the nation for the interest of the common people.” Adding Sarkar said, “The unemployment problem is the biggest problem of nation and no solution has been brought yet today despite the government at the centre has been standing tall with false promises to the nation.” Mr. Sarkar was given guard of honour by the security forces.Hoisting the national flag at the Assam Rifles ground here, Mr. Sarkar said his government was committed to economic development of the State which can in turn generate job opportunities for the youth.“Currently more than 20 crores of the youths are unemployed at the entire nation,” Sarkar said, the government at the centre had rather stopped creating new posts under its various departments.Mr. Sarkar, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that unemployment was one of the major causes for insurgency in the State and appealed to the central government for providing more funds to generate employment in the State.

Mr. Sarkar said to provide more land into the hands of the tribals, the State government was mulling over the issue of settlement of tribals in the forest areas under the ‘forest dwellers act’. “The state government succeed offering more than 1 lakh tribal families the land for cultivation without the help of central government,” Sarkar said.

Tripura came to the first row of the States in the country in implementation of the NREGA, he added. “Despite all odds the Tripura Government had created the first of its kind 88 mandays previous year and topped at the entire nation,” Sarkar said.

Besides in regard of the insurgencies Sarkar addressing the 69^th I-Day celebration at AR ground on Saturday had appealed the insurgent group to shun violence and come back to their normal life. "I once again appeal to that small section of disgruntled elements who are still holding arms, to come back to normal life," he said on the occasion of 69^th I-Day at AR Ground.

"Peace and tranquillity of our state was once disturbed and development was hampered. They (militants) tried to spoil the confidence amongst us (tribal and non-tribal). They were cornered by the peace-loving tribal and non-tribal people of Tripura but we must not suffer from complacency since a small section of them are still active. They often try to disturb the internal peace and harmony of the state," he said.  

Sarkar assumed that the insurgent groups who are yet to shun arms in Tripura are ready to join mainstream society after several talks.

Sarkar also urged disgruntled elements to be a part of democracy and participate in the process of development.