Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha recently met with top officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) to discuss the increasing number of illegal immigrants crossing into India from Bangladesh. Saha, who also manages the Home portfolio, expressed his concerns during the meeting and emphasized the need for stricter measures to control the situation.
The meeting took place at the BSF sector headquarters in Salbagan, near Agartala city. According to a statement from the BSF, Saha was particularly worried about the recent spike in the number of Bangladeshi nationals entering India illegally. He instructed the BSF officials to take strong action against those who are helping and sheltering these illegal immigrants.
BSF Deputy Inspector General S K Sinha informed Chief Minister Saha about the challenges the BSF is facing, particularly with manpower. Sinha explained that the availability of troops has been affected due to their deployment for the Lok Sabha elections and other duties in Manipur.
Despite these issues, he assured Saha that the BSF is committed to tackling the problem and will focus on identifying and apprehending those facilitating illegal border crossings.
Sinha also mentioned that the BSF is in the process of installing electronic surveillance equipment along vulnerable sections of the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura. This initiative aims to improve monitoring and prevent illegal activities.
In recent weeks, several Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya individuals have been arrested in Tripura while attempting to travel out of the state. Notably, over 30 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended at Agartala railway station within just four days. These arrests have raised concerns that the railway station is being used as a hub for trafficking.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also been active in addressing this issue. They have arrested several youths from Tripura in connection with human trafficking cases involving Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya. These arrests are part of a broader investigation that started with a case registered in Guwahati last year. The most recent arrest took place on June 16.
According to a BSF report, 744 people were arrested in 2023 for illegally crossing the international border. This number includes 112 illegal Rohingya migrants, 337 Bangladeshi nationals, and 295 Indians. This is a significant increase compared to 2022 when 369 people were detained for similar offenses.
Tripura shares a long 856 km border with Bangladesh. However, some parts of this border remain unfenced due to local land disputes and demarcation issues, making it easier for illegal immigrants to cross.
Chief Minister Manik Saha’s meeting with BSF officials underscores the seriousness of the illegal immigration issue in Tripura. With ongoing efforts to enhance border security and tackle human trafficking, the state hopes to see a reduction in these illegal activities in the future.
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