Alarmed by the recent spurt of infiltration by Bangladesh nationals in different parts of Tripura, specially their detention from Agartala railway station before their movement toward other parts of the country, the Chief Minister on Thursday called a meeting with top BSF, police authorities in presence of Chief Secretary and issued directives for effective steps to stop all illegal activities on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Official sources said that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha asked the authorities despite strong barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border and deployment of a large number of BSF jawans, how the infiltration is rampantly going on along with smuggling. He also issued stern warning over dereliction in duties of border guards, which has directly affected internal security of the country.

The Chief Minister through his social media posted that “ Had a meeting with the BSF and other security agencies to review the issues relating to  human trafficking, smuggling and other border related crimes.  Directed them  to take  effective steps to stop all the illegal activities on the Indo- Bangladesh border. All the necessary assistance will be provided by the State Government for this purpose.”

Dr Saha also assured the authorities that the state government will provide all necessary help to the security forces to stop the menaces of infiltration by Bangladeshi and Rohingyas.

He directed the concerned officials to take appropriate action against those involved in providing shelter and facilitating illegal border crossings.

Sources added that Dr Saha has suggested some concrete measures to stop infiltration and asked the authorities to file the weekly report over implementation of all suggestions at ground level.

While, BSF of Tripura Frontier through a press statement said that a meeting was conducted on Thursday  evening in the office of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha to discuss the recent increase in infiltration activities along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Chief Secretary JK Sinha, ADG (Law and Order) Anurag, DIG PSO of BSF SK Sinha, and other officials were present.

Dr Manik Saha expressed concern over the recent rise in the infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into Indian territory. He directed the concerned officials to take appropriate action against those involved in providing shelter and facilitating illegal border crossings. SK Sinha, DIG, BSF, mentioned that the availability of manpower on the border has been affected due to the general parliamentary election and the deployment of BSF troops in Manipur. He assured that concerted efforts with all agencies would yield positive results. Identifying and taking action against touts would reduce infiltration incidents. DIG Sinha also informed that the BSF is in the process of installing electronic gadgets for border surveillance at vulnerable patches. Several other issues were also discussed during the meeting.

It may be recalled here that  the detention of 33 Bangladeshi mostly women were arrested in the last five days  from Agartala railway station and altogether 94 Bangladesh nationals were arrested within a span of one and half months along with arrest of some Indian touts for their direct involvement in human trafficking. All arrested Bangladeshi trespassers entered into India through clandestine routes and in search of jobs in other parts of the country.

Speaking to media persons, officer-in-charge (OC) Government Railway Police Station at Agartala Railway Station,  Tapash Das said all arrested Bangladeshi citizens told the GRP personnel that they came to Tripura illegally to go to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore or other cities of India by train in search of jobs.