Concerns Rise Among Tripura Residents Over New Bangladeshi Embankment Along the Indo-Bangla Border

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Concerns Rise Among Tripura Residents Over New Bangladeshi Embankment Along the Indo-Bangla Border

Synopsis

Residents of Tripura are alarmed over a new embankment being constructed by Bangladesh along the border, fearing it could lead to flooding in Belonia and surrounding areas during the monsoon season.

Key Takeaways

  • Bangladesh is building a large embankment along the Tripura border.
  • Residents fear flooding in Belonia and surrounding villages.
  • A delegation is scheduled to assess the situation.
  • Local officials are urging the Central government to intervene.
  • Another embankment in Unakoti also poses risks during monsoon.

Agartala, April 19 (NationPress) The government of Bangladesh has initiated the construction of a significant embankment along the border area of Tripura, India, raising alarm among local residents. This embankment poses a risk to the town of Belonia and neighboring villages in the South Tripura district, especially during the monsoon season when flooding is a concern.

A high-ranking delegation, headed by Tripura PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, is set to visit Belonia and nearby villages on Sunday to assess the situation and its potential impact on the Indian side, specifically concerning the embankment's construction near the Muhuri river, which serves as a natural border.

Residents from the Belonia Municipal Council and nearby villages like Ballamukh and Ishan Chandranagar have voiced their significant worries about the embankment being built by Bangladesh.

Local CPI-M MLA Dipankar Sen has urged the South Tripura District Magistrate and Border Security Force (BSF) officials to bring this issue to the attention of the Central government for necessary discussions with the Bangladesh authorities.

Sen reported that during his interactions with villagers, they expressed profound anxiety over the possibility that the embankment could lead to flooding of Belonia and nearby areas during the monsoon, jeopardizing the lives of over 150,000 residents.

A senior official from the Water Resource Department of the Tripura Government, Basudeb Das, mentioned that the situation is being taken seriously by the authorities.

"We have informed higher authorities about the situation," Das stated, though he refrained from sharing further details.

In a related instance, a similar embankment has been constructed by the Bangladesh government in northern Tripura’s Unakoti district, which could also threaten the town of Kailashahar and adjacent villages during monsoon floods.

In response, the opposition Congress party has organized protests in Kailashahar, seeking intervention from the Central government.

Senior Congress figure and former Minister Birajit Sinha has led the protests against the controversial embankment in Unakoti, emphasizing the unilateral nature of the construction by Bangladesh and its potential dangers during the rainy season.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha previously addressed the embankment issue in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, detailing the potential implications of the Bangladeshi embankment in Unakoti and the risk of flooding for the Indian territory. The Chief Minister urged the Home Minister to engage with the Bangladesh government for appropriate measures from their side.