Chakma group calls for mass verification of infiltrators across Tripura after 1,675 caught since 2021

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 6, 2024

Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) on Tuesday demanded the Union government to verify all infiltrators in Tripura apprehended by various investigation agencies since 2021.

The CDFI also emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of the Tiprasa people in Bangladesh.

In a memorandum submitted to Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, the CDFI outlined pressing concerns regarding illegal immigration in Tripura and the situation of religious minorities, particularly in light of the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh.

The CDFI highlighted that 1,675 infiltrators, including 174 Rohingyas, were apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Tripura from 2021 to April 2024. The CDFI called for a comprehensive verification of all infiltrators in Tripura. The CDFI also demanded appropriate measures to be taken in case people belonging to religious minorities and brethren of the indigenous Tiprasa people of Bangladesh seek shelter in India to escape persecution during the ongoing political turmoil.

“The BSF had caught 208 intruders including 3 Rohingyas in 2021, 369 intruders including 59 Rohingyas in 2022 and 1,018 intruders including 112 Rohingyas between January 2023 and April 15, 2024,” the memorandum stated.

“The CDFI welcomed the memorandum submitted by MLA Ranjit Debbarma of Tripura on August 3 on the issue and while providing specific information further called upon the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to investigate in the entire state as the records show that most of the Rohingya refugees were arrested from Sepahijala, Unakoti, West Tripura, North Tripura districts,” the memorandum also said.

CDFI founder Suhas Chakma said: “If investigation is only done in Chamunu, Gandachara and Silachari areas, the real picture will not come out as the infiltrators move throughout the state and the country.”

In Bangladesh, whenever such political turmoil takes place, it becomes an excuse to particularly target religious minorities as witnessed in the post-October 2021 election violence in which about 200 religious minority women were gang raped. In the neighbouring Chittagong Hill Tracts, about 28 indigenous/tribal people’s villages under five Union Parishads i.e. Tabalchari, Tendong, Barnala, Amtali, Belchari and Gomti under Khagrachari district opposite South Tripura, Gomati and Dhalai districts of Tripura have been captured by the Muslim settlers in the last two and half decade.

“Regarding the Rohingya influx, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered four cases of transnational human trafficking of Rohingya refugees in Guwahati, Chennai, Bangalore, and Jaipur and in Case No RC-01/2023/NIA-GUW, the NIA arrested at least 21 persons from Tripura including Jalil Mia, Jiban Rudra Pal @ Jibon @ Suman, Hanan Miah, Adhir Das and Anwar Hussain alias Mama, Suman Tripura and Kangphru Mog. The NIA has already filed a chargesheet against several accused,” Chakma said.

“Both the taking over of the lands of indigenous peoples in 28 villages across the border opposite South Tripura, Gomati and Dhalai districts of Tripura and movement of the intruders in Tripura and beyond make the case for investigation into the entire state,” Chakma added.