Gist: Tripura rank 3rd for enemy property in India, following Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. CEPI Chief Supervisor Jaspal Singh briefed Tripura journalists in Lucknow on the Enemy Property Act 1968, 2017 amendments, and district-wise data for Sepahijala and West Tripura.
Lucknow, Mar 7: Tripura holds the third position in the country in terms of the number of immovable enemy’ property’ in India. Uttar Pradesh leads the list. Meanwhile, West Bengal stands in second place.
Chief Supervisor of the Custodian of Enemy Property of India (CEPI) Jaspal Singh shared this information during an interaction with journalists from Tripura in Lucknow on Mar 6.
What is ‘Enemy Property’
Singh explained the concept of enemy property in India.
Enemy property includes both movable and immovable assets. These assets may include land, buildings, company shares, jewellery and bank deposits.
Earlier, many individuals and companies left India and moved to Pakistan after the wars of 1965 and 1971.
Others migrated to China after the 1962 conflict. Later, they obtained citizenship in those countries.
As a result, their assets in India came under the category of ‘enemy property’.
Legal framework and role of CEPI
The Enemy Property Act, 1968 governs the assets in India of those people left the country. Under this law, authorities do not treat such properties as abandoned.
Instead, the government vests them in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. The office functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Why properties receive the ‘enemy’ tag
Authorities classify these assets as enemy property to protect national interest. The move prevents hostile countries or their citizens from benefiting from such assets.
Moreover, the government strengthened the law through amendments in 2017.
The amendment ensured that the “enemy” status remains attached to the property even after the original owner dies.
In addition, legal heirs cannot claim these assets. This rule applies even if the heirs hold Indian citizenship. As a result, the government retains control over the properties.
Enemy property: Status of top three States
At present, India has around 13,247 immovable enemy properties.
According to Singh, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number with 5,271 such properties.
Next comes West Bengal with 4,437 properties.
Tripura occupy the third position in the country with 1,002 enemy properties.
According to CEPI website data, Sepahijala district, within Tripura, records the highest number with 396 properties.
Then comes West Tripura district with 295 such properties.
Khowai district is in the third spot with 146 enemy properties.
Interaction held at Butler Palace
The interaction with the PIB Media team from Tripura took place at Butler Palace. Interestingly, authorities have also listed this building as an enemy property.
Journalists from Tripura are currently visiting Lucknow as part of a media outreach programme organised by the Press Information Bureau in Agartala.
The tour aims to familiarise media professionals to key institutions and government initiatives in Uttar Pradesh.