Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has launched a robust initiative to curb illegal immigration, announcing the formation of Special Task Forces (STFs) across all eight districts of the state to detect, identify, and deport illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants.
The move, spurred by a directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), underscores Tripura’s commitment to securing its 856 km border with Bangladesh amid rising concerns over unauthorized immigration.
On July 15, a 15-member STF was established in West Tripura, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Debasish Saha, setting a model for similar units now being rolled out statewide. These task forces are tasked with collecting biometric and demographic data from suspected illegal immigrants, uploading it to the MHA’s Foreigners Identification Portal, and coordinating with the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation.
Also Read: Over 7,000 Runners Join Chennai’s Dream Runners Half Marathon 2025 in High-Energy Event.
“No Bangladeshi or Rohingya will be allowed to stay in Tripura. If they infiltrate, they will be pushed back as per law,” Saha declared, emphasizing the state’s zero-tolerance policy.
The initiative follows heightened vigilance since political unrest in Bangladesh in August 2024, with Tripura Police reporting 816 arrests of Bangladeshi nationals and 79 Rohingya from January 2024 to February 2025, including 483 since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. Saha credited the BSF and state police for keeping infiltration “minimal,” but stressed that every case is being treated with utmost seriousness.
The move has garnered support from TIPRA Motha, a key BJP ally, which has long demanded stricter measures against illegal immigration, citing threats to the socio-economic fabric of Tripura’s indigenous communities.
Party leader Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma is set to lead a delegation to the Election Commission of India on July 23 to push for a Bihar-style Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to weed out fake voters. However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has criticized the initiative, alleging it unfairly targets Bengali-speaking communities, a claim Saha dismissed as “misinformation” aimed at creating confusion.
While the STFs aim to strengthen border security, concerns linger about the humanitarian implications of the “pushback” policy. Critics argue that deportations without proper verification risk violating India’s constitutional guarantees and international norms, such as the UN Global Compact on Migration, especially for vulnerable groups like trafficking victims. Reports of Indian citizens being mistakenly deported have also raised alarms.
As Tripura gears up for the 2026 TTAADC elections, the issue of illegal immigration is poised to shape the state’s political landscape. Saha’s firm stance reflects a broader national push to address undocumented migration, but the balance between security and humanitarian considerations remains a contentious challenge.
Also Read: Shocking! UP Home Guard Dragged 5 KM on Car Bonnet After Driver Refuses to Stop.