Agartala / Dhaka, August 27 (TIWN / bdnews24.com):The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has demanded for ceasefire during dialogue to give up arms and sign a peace pact with the government .

But Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has made it clear to the federal government that the state government is totally against ceasefire though it welcomes peace talks.
Sarkar was speaking to reporters in the secretariat Wednesday evening.
The NLFT had approached the union home ministry to appoint former Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) supremo Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl and former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga as interlocutors for the peace process with the government.
 
They have said a ceasefire must be in place during the dialogue that would lead to surrender and signing of agreements .
 
“Probably there were two rounds of talks with the NLFT, first in Shillong and then at Delhi. Practically I do not find anything much has come out of this dialogue. But the main thing is that talks are going within the constitutional frame and which is positive because they use to demand for independent Tripura,” said Sarkar.
 
“The second meeting took place few months back but we found nothing much happened and they asked for little. Then we were informed by the government of India that the NLFT wants an interlocutor and suggested two names –  Bijoy Hrangkhawl and former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga.  Bijoy Hrangkhawl has close links with the NLFT or they would not have suggested his name.”
 
Sarkar however raised question on the intention of the NLFT and alleged that the militants are continuing their subsersive activities alongside the dialogue.
 
“We have clearly said that they are in dialogue and they want to return back to normal life but at the same time they are continuing their extortion ,  abduction and ambush (security forces). This cannot go hand in hand. Secondly there was a proposal of cease fire but we disagreed,” said Sarkar who is also holding state's home portfolio.
 
He said that the security forces shall be active in the state but shall not seek confrontation with the militants until attacked.
 
Sarkar viewed that his government has been always in favour of peace talks and whether the militants talks with the central government avoiding the state or wants the talk via a mediator is not an issue.

The Tripura CM Sarkar in various platforms has thanked the present government in Bangladesh for taking action against the militants of Northeast India who were utilizing the Bangladesh territory but he says still there are few camps of Indian militants in CHT areas.