In a recent crackdown aimed at curbing illegal activities utilizing the railways, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has reported the arrest of at least 10 individuals believed to be “illegal migrants” from neighboring Bangladesh. These arrests transpired within the past week at the railway station in Agartala, the capital of Tripura.
According to an official statement released by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the operations also led to the apprehension of two Indian agents who were allegedly aiding these illegal migrants. The collaborative efforts of the RPF, Government Railway Police (GRP), and Border Security Force (BSF) culminated in the capture of three male Bangladeshi nationals on November 21 at the Agartala railway station. Alongside the foreign nationals, an individual holding Indian citizenship, suspected of being an accomplice, was also taken into custody. Subsequently, the quartet was handed over to the GRP Agartala for further legal proceedings, as stated by Sabyasachi De, the Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR.
Continuing the vigilance, on November 23, a joint operation conducted by the RPF and GRP led to the arrest of seven more alleged illegal migrants from Bangladesh, alongside another Indian agent, at the Agartala railway station. Similar to the earlier arrests, this group was also transferred to the railway police for subsequent actions.
Sabyasachi De highlighted the critical role played by the RPF in thwarting such illegal activities within the railway jurisdiction. Their efforts aim to ensure the safety and security of train passengers by curbing unlawful intrusions on railway premises.
Tripura, sharing an 856-kilometer border with Bangladesh, has witnessed porous stretches that remain open, facilitating the unauthorized entry of migrants from the neighboring country. Many have exploited these routes to clandestinely cross the border and reach other parts of India, primarily utilizing trains as a means of transit. Notably, previous instances have seen the RPF and allied agencies detaining several illegal migrants from trains and railway stations. The absence of fencing in certain border areas has also been exploited by cross-border criminals for their activities.