How are Northeast States Strengthening Vigilance Against Infiltration?

Imphal/Shillong, July 24 (NationPress) Various state administrations in the northeastern region have significantly increased their surveillance against infiltrations from neighboring nations, particularly Bangladesh and Myanmar, officials disclosed on Thursday.

Multiple state governments, including Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Assam, have instructed district authorities to bolster their vigilance to prevent infiltration attempts from neighboring countries, notably Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Assam government has recently escalated its eviction operations in various districts such as Barpeta, Lakhimpur, Hojai, Nagaon, and Goalpara, targeting individuals allegedly encroaching on government and forest lands, with many suspected of being illegal immigrants.

Numerous families have been displaced due to the eviction drive.

Considering the eviction actions in Assam, the governments of Meghalaya and Nagaland have also instructed district authorities to implement measures to prevent displaced individuals from Assam from entering their states.

The Meghalaya government has urged all Deputy Commissioners to work closely with the police and Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent unauthorized entries from both neighboring states and countries.

The directives from the Nagaland government to all Deputy Commissioners emphasized the need for heightened vigilance to avert any potential influx of illegal immigrants due to the eviction drive in Assam.

"In this context, all Deputy Commissioners are instructed to adopt proactive measures to prevent any unlawful entry within their jurisdictions. This proactive strategy is essential for maintaining law and order and protecting the demographic integrity of our state," the Nagaland government's order stated.

The actions taken by several northeastern states came after a recent circular from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which directed all states and Union Territories to verify the identities of individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

According to the MHA circular, individuals found with fraudulent documents will face deportation.

In Meghalaya, the BSF has also enhanced monitoring along the India-Bangladesh border. Recently, BSF personnel apprehended numerous Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, attempting to enter India without valid documentation.

In Manipur, the government has instructed all 16 district authorities to remain vigilant along the state's international and inter-state boundaries in light of concerns regarding illegal migration, particularly due to the turmoil in neighboring countries.

Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar directed the formation of district-level task forces to identify infiltrators and take appropriate action.

Kumar proposed that these task forces be led by the Additional Superintendent of Police of the District.

The task force will also include a representative from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, along with an official from the Assam Rifles, BSF, or CRPF, as per the team leader's preference, along with biometric staff.

The Commissioner emphasized that all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police should establish strong mechanisms to prevent unauthorized crossings into state boundaries and ensure vigilance at international, inter-state, and inter-district borders to thwart such movements.

Any illegal movement detected must be reported immediately, and the biometric information of such individuals should be recorded, the order stated, noting that illegal migrants should be housed in designated secure locations for shelter and humanitarian support, preventing them from mingling or being naturalized with the local population.

In Tripura, the state government plans to establish district-level task forces across all eight districts to identify and deport infiltrators residing in the bordering state.

A senior police official in Agartala mentioned that a 'Task Force' has already been established in the West Tripura district and will be created in the remaining seven districts.

"A senior police officer of the district will head the Task Force, while the officers-in-charge of various police stations within the district will serve as members," the official stated, preferring to remain unnamed.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) has been organizing various forms of agitation in Tripura over the past two months, advocating for the push-back of "illegal migrants" from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The tribal political party has demanded strict enforcement of MHA orders regarding the identification, detention, and deportation of illegal migrants.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha previously stated that infiltrators from Bangladesh are realizing that the state is not a safe haven, adding that all security agencies are on high alert to prevent any infiltrators from entering India.

"Following the unrest in Bangladesh last year, security forces have maintained rigorous surveillance along the border to thwart any infiltration attempts," CM Saha, who also oversees the Home portfolio, informed the media.

Four northeastern states—Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Assam—share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, while Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram share a 1,643-km border with Myanmar.