Agartala, July 20: Tripura Govt has formed task forces to identify and deport the illegal immigrants and Rohingya people, said Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha in Agartala today.
In response to growing national concerns over illegal immigration, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said a dedicated task forces to identify and deport undocumented immigrants, particularly Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals residing unlawfully in the state.
Speaking to the media after visiting several localities in Agartala to review civic conditions, Dr. Saha further elaborated on this issue.
He said, “District-level task forces have been constituted to detect foreign nationals living without valid documentation. These teams will carry out thorough verifications to determine when and how such individuals entered the state.”
Tripura, which shares an 856-kilometer-long international border with Bangladesh, has long been vulnerable to cross-border migration and related security issues due to its geographic proximity. Despite heightened vigilance along the border and proactive policing, reports suggest that illegal infiltration—especially from Bangladesh—has continued, allegedly surging after the recent political transition in Dhaka.
Dr. Saha, who also oversees the Home Department, said the state government is adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward unauthorized migration. “The task forces will not only identify the presence of illegal immigrants but also investigate their entry timeline—whether they arrived recently or during the unrest in Bangladesh last year,” he added.
Under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities who entered India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan before December 31, 2014, are eligible for Indian citizenship. The Government of India notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, on March 11 this year, paving the way for formal implementation of the Act.
Clarifying the distinction between illegal immigrants and those eligible under the CAA, Dr. Saha emphasized that the government will act firmly against those who do not fall under the purview of the legislation.
He further stated that Tripura is no longer a favorable route for infiltrators, noting that many illegal entrants have come to realize the state’s increased security and surveillance capabilities. “Since last year’s disturbances in Bangladesh, we have intensified border patrolling to prevent unauthorized crossings,” he noted.
To strengthen inter-agency coordination, the Chief Minister also held a high-level meeting with senior officials from various security agencies, including the Border Security Force (BSF), urging them to maintain heightened alertness and seamless cooperation to tackle border-related challenges effectively. (Edited)
