Senior Tipra Motha leader and MLA Ranjit Debbarma has raised a strong demand for an urgent and thorough investigation into the alleged large-scale settlement of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Dhalai district of Tripura.
In a detailed letter to state authorities, Debbarma alleged that a significant number of migrants from Bangladesh have permanently settled across several parts of Dhalai, particularly within TTAADC areas and reserve forest land. He further claimed that many of them have managed to obtain critical Indian identity documents—including EPIC voter cards, Aadhaar, PAN, Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates, and Permanent Resident of Tripura Certificates (PRTC)—by producing forged and fabricated documents.
According to the MLA, these individuals are not only residing in the district but have also entered into government jobs, business activities, agriculture, rubber plantations, and fruit cultivation. He highlighted that villages under Chamanu, Gandatwisa, and Dumburnagar blocks have been heavily impacted, with several colonies and houses reportedly built on government khas land.
Debbarma further alleged that some of these settlers have fraudulently enrolled themselves in electoral rolls with the assistance of “corrupt officials, brokers, and political figures,” enabling them to cast votes in previous elections. In some cases, he warned, individuals are allegedly enjoying dual citizenship, voting in both India and Bangladesh.
“The infiltration has deprived genuine tribal people of their rightful benefits and created a severe threat to the sovereignty and security of Tripura as well as the nation,” Debbarma stated.
He also pointed to cases where Chakma and Hajong settlers from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam have been availing ST benefits in Tripura, despite the communities not being recognized as Scheduled Tribes in their original states. Such practices, he argued, are not only unlawful but also discriminatory against the indigenous tribal population of Tripura.
The Tipra Motha legislator expressed frustration that despite repeated complaints by tribal organizations to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, DGP, and the District Magistrate of Dhalai, no decisive steps have been taken. He reminded that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued directives on May 19, 2025, asking the Tripura government to act against illegal migrants, yet the inquiry remains pending.
“The prolonged delay in action is only emboldening further infiltrations. I strongly urge the administration to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a detailed report at the earliest, in the interest of national security and the sovereignty of Tripura and India,” Debbarma wrote in his letter.
His demand has once again brought the issue of illegal migration in Tripura into sharp focus, sparking debate over governance, security, and the rights of indigenous communities.