New Delhi: The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday demanding verification of infiltrators in Tripura and the safety of ethnic Tiprasa people in Bangladesh.
In the memorandum, the CDFI stated that about 1,675 intruders, including 174 Rohingyas, were detained by BSF in Tripura from 2021 to April 2024.
It also called for rigorous screening of infiltrators into Tripura.
“In addition to maintaining strict vigil, appropriate measures should be taken to provide shelter and protection to religious minorities and brethren of the indigenous Tiprasa people of Bangladesh who may seek refuge in India to escape persecution during the ongoing political turmoil,” the memorandum stated.
The BSF had detained 208 intruders including at least three Rohingyas in 2021, 369 intruders including 59 Rohingyas in 2022 and 1018 intruders including 112 Rohingyas between January 2023 and 15 April 2024.
The CDFI welcomed the memorandum submitted by Tripura MLA Ranjit Debbarma on August 3rd regarding the issue.
The CDFI provided specific details and urged the Home Ministry to conduct a comprehensive investigation across the entire state of Tripura.
“Records indicate that most Rohingya refugees were apprehended in Sepahijala, Unakoti, West Tripura, and North Tripura districts. Limiting the probe to Chamunu, Gandachara, and Silachari would not reveal the full extent of infiltration as these individuals move freely within the state and country,” stated Suhas Chakma, founder of the CDFI.
“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 a number of accused,” he further stated.
“The seizure of lands belonging to indigenous peoples in 28 villages across the border from South Tripura, Gomati, and Dhalai districts, coupled with the movement of these intruders within Tripura and beyond, necessitates a thorough investigation,” Chakma said.