Northeast Desk, 3rd July: The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Tripura has detained 434 illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas, over the past 1.5 years. These arrests were made at various railway stations and on trains after the individuals crossed the international border into Tripura illegally.
A senior Tripura Police official, speaking anonymously, revealed that in 2023, the GRP deployed in six police stations arrested 294 illegal immigrants, including 76 Rohingyas. From January 2024 to the present, 140 immigrants have been detained, with three identified as Rohingyas.
Tripura, sharing an 856 km long border with Bangladesh, serves as a corridor for illegal immigrants moving to other Indian cities in search of work. These immigrants often cross the border with the help of intermediaries known as touts. In 2023, 51 Indian touts were arrested, while 26 have been apprehended so far in 2024. A total of 103 cases have been filed in connection with these detentions.
The official explained that immigrants typically use Agartala Railway Station to board express trains to metropolitan cities, finding employment in small jobs such as rag picking, masonry, and construction work. Some receive initial help from relatives already settled in these cities.
In addition to tackling illegal immigration, the GRP unit in Tripura has made significant drug seizures. In 2023, 239 drug peddlers were arrested and 86 cases were registered. In 2024, 150 drug peddlers have been apprehended and 63 cases filed. Seized contraband includes over 2,300 kg of ganja, 8,000 bottles of banned cough syrup, and 314 grams of heroin. Recently, three individuals were arrested under the Arms Act for carrying a pistol on a train.
The GRP’s efforts underscore the ongoing challenges of border security and the multifaceted approach required to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking in the region.
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