Tripura constitutes Special Task Force to tackle illegal immigration from Bangladesh

In a decisive move to strengthen border security, the West Tripura district has constituted a Special Task Force (STF) aimed at detecting, identifying, and deporting illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The formation of this 15-member force comes amidst persistent demands from the state's political stakeholders and follows a directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs concerning the management of foreign nationals. Tripura shares a porous 856-kilometer border with Bangladesh, making it particularly susceptible to cross-border infiltration.

The newly formed task force, comprising officers-in-charge of all 15 police stations in the West Tripura district, will be led by Debasish Saha, Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Intelligence Branch. Government sources indicate that districts in Tripura already record some of the highest arrest rates for illegal infiltrators. While Chief Minister Manik Saha noted that the overall numbers of entrants have recently decreased, he affirmed that the STF's formation underscores the state's commitment to maintaining vigilance. Once identified, illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals will have their biometric and demographic data uploaded to the MHA's Foreigners Identification Portal before being handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation.

The initiative also aligns with long-standing demands from the BJP's key ally in the state, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP). TMP chief Pradyot Debbarma has consistently voiced concerns that illegal immigration significantly impacts the customs and socio-economic development of Tripura's indigenous population, particularly tribals. The party has been advocating for strict implementation of MHA orders to identify, detain, and deport such migrants, viewing the task force as a crucial step towards safeguarding the state's demographic balance and cultural heritage.