Agartala, May 12, 2025: Tipra Motha legislator Ranjit Debbarma has raised serious concerns over the alleged presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura, urging both the state and central governments to take swift action to identify and deport those residing with false identities.

In a strongly-worded press statement issued on Monday, Debbarma called upon the Chief Minister, the Governor of Tripura, and the Union Home Ministry to intervene immediately, warning that the unchecked influx of undocumented migrants poses a grave threat to India’s sovereignty and internal security.

“Illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are living unlawfully in rented houses, slum clusters, and densely populated areas across Tripura, including Agartala and various district headquarters,” Debbarma alleged. He further claimed that many have illegally acquired Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar, voter IDs, PAN cards, and ration cards through political support and local brokers.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, the MLA revealed he had submitted a list of affected regions within the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), including Longtharai Valley, Gandatwisa, Dumburnagar, Korbook, and Sabroom subdivisions. According to him, these settlers have encroached on government and forest lands and even infiltrated sectors such as construction, retail, and education using forged documents.

In a scathing criticism of government inaction, Debbarma said, “Despite repeated warnings, the state, Centre, and even the TTAADC have failed to respond adequately.” He cited examples from Delhi, Gujarat, and Assam where authorities used bulldozers to dismantle illegal settlements and arrest undocumented migrants.

Debbarma also warned of possible links between some migrants and extremist groups, suggesting that certain elements may have sympathies with Pakistan or be vulnerable to influence from radical outfits like the ISI.

Calling for a state-level crackdown, the MLA proposed a dedicated “Operation Detect and Deport Bangladeshis” to safeguard the region. “It is high time the Tripura government enforces the law decisively,” he asserted.

He concluded by appealing to all political parties to set aside differences and act in the national interest to curb illegal migration.