Tripura Government has sent a proposal to tea garden owners to forming a private force to guard the State’s tea gardens from insurgent attacks.

The private force could be formed on the lines of the forces in Assam gardens, State Industries Minister Pabitra Kar said. "The government will impart training and grant licence for using arms, but the garden owners should bear the costs," he said.

Asked to comment on the proposal, the security of Tea Association of India (TAI), Tripura branch, PK Sarkar, said income of Assam gardens were much higher than the gardens here. "Tripura garden owners do not have the capability to bear the costs of running any private force." Sarkar said the association had already demanded formation of a special task force at Centre’s expense.