Why Were 16 Bangladesh Nationals and 5 Indians Arrested in Tripura?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 16 Bangladeshi nationals and five Indians arrested for illegal border crossings.
- Apprehensions occurred in West Tripura and Sepahijala districts.
- Chief Minister Manik Saha emphasizes strict measures against illegal immigration.
- Tripura's border with Bangladesh is 856 km long, presenting significant challenges.
- Government urges coordinated efforts among security agencies.
Imphal, May 22 (NationPress) The Border Security Force (BSF) and Tripura Police have apprehended 16 individuals from Bangladesh and five Indians across various locations in the state for unlawfully crossing the India-Bangladesh border, as confirmed by officials on Thursday.
A representative from the BSF stated that alert border guards stationed at the Manu Border Outpost (BOP) in the West Tripura district intercepted nine Bangladeshi individuals, comprising four women and two children, while attempting to cross into the adjacent country illegally.
The detained Bangladeshi individuals had reportedly been working in private companies in Agartala for approximately two years without legal authorization.
In another occurrence, the BSF confiscated contraband, including foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 50 lakh, from Srinagar in the southern region of Tripura on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Tripura Police arrested five Bangladeshi nationals, including two women, for illegally entering Indian territory at the Madhupur area of Sepahijala district.
A police official indicated that during the early hours on Thursday, acting on confidential information and with the assistance of local residents, police detained these five individuals near Madhupur village, adjacent to the India-Bangladesh border. They are currently undergoing interrogation at the police station.
One of the detainees, Shahjala Khan, allegedly admitted that they received help from an individual to cross the international border and were heading towards Delhi.
In a separate incident, the Tripura Police apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals and four Indian citizens in Belonia on Thursday.
The four Indian nationals, who are residents of West Bengal, had traveled to Bangladesh a few months ago and returned to Tripura alongside two Bangladeshi citizens illegally, lacking valid documents. Additionally, the BSF detained another Indian national for entering Tripura unlawfully from Bangladesh. This individual, a resident of Tripura, had also previously traveled to Bangladesh without a valid passport or documentation.
Tripura shares an 856 km border with Bangladesh, encircled on three sides by the neighboring country, rendering the northeastern state particularly susceptible to cross-border migration challenges.
Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha reiterated on Wednesday that the state government will not permit illegal immigrants from Bangladesh or Myanmar to enter Indian territory under any circumstances.
During a recent meeting with senior security officials from various agencies, the Chief Minister urged them to maintain close coordination to address border-related matters and other developments, especially considering the tension between India and Pakistan.
He further stated that should any infiltrators manage to enter Tripura, they would be expelled as per legal provisions.
CM Saha, who oversees the Home portfolio, emphasized in discussions with the media that the BSF along the India-Bangladesh border, along with Tripura Police and other security forces, are on high alert against any form of illegal infiltration.