In a terse warning against illegal migration, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday said his government would not allow illegal immigrants from Bangladesh or Rohingya persons from Myanmar or any other country to enter the Indian territory under any circumstances.
The chief minister was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event held at Pragya Bhawan in Agartala, where the government handed over appointment letters to freshly appointed food inspectors.
CM Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, said even if such illegal immigrants manage to sneak into India, they would be pushed back as per law.
His comments come two days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a directive to all state governments and Union Territories, mandating to verify the credentials of suspected illegal immigrants and deport them if found ineligible. The MHA directive was accompanied by a 30-day deadline to identify such persons.
“We are very clear on this. We shall not allow any illegal Bangladeshi immigrants or Rohingya persons to enter Tripura. Even if anyone manages to infiltrate, we shall push them back in accordance with the law of the land,” CM Saha stated, reiterating his government’s firm stand on ensuring border security, illegal immigration and national security.
CM Saha had recently said that the detention cases of Bangladeshi nationals entering the state through the international border had gone up by 36 per cent.
Tripura shares an 856 km long international border with Bangladesh, parts of which are still unfenced due to local disputes.
Among other states of the region, Meghalaya has 443 km international border with Bangladesh, Mizoram 318 km and Assam shares 263 km border out of the 1,880-km border North-East India shares with Bangladesh.
A series of arrests of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya individuals were made recently, especially since Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Tripura last December to attend the 72nd Plenary meeting of the North East Council (NEC). Shah had warned the chief ministers of the region to stay alert to drug smuggling and human trafficking.
Human trafficking, arms smuggling, drug smuggling, cattle and other livestock trafficking are among the major trans-border crimes.
