AGARTALA, March 5 (TIWN): With a shocking note it has been unearthed that atleast 2178 Bangladeshis entered in Tripura in 2016. Reportedly, in January month 198 Bangladeshis, in February 158, in March 226, in April 198, May 160, June 165, July 184, August 180, Sept 182, October 198, November 161, Dec 172 Bangladeshis : in total : 2178 Bangladeshis were spotted by police for illegal entering. However, this year the number has been increased as in 2014---1701, in 2015--1806 Bangladeshis entered in Tripura illegally. Delaying of border fencing especially in places like Sonamura is causing such incidents. Although with the initiative of Central Govt fencing works have begun in many places, but due to land acquisition problem and PWD’s apathy such incidents are increasing day after day. Sonamura Kulubari area, which is much controversial area, however, will be now sealed with border. There are around 4 villages which are mostly Muslim dominating area, had remained without sealing since decades.

Locals claimed that if border comes between then many families will be separated forever, resulting unnecessary delays in fencing work. But with central’s intervention now the borders are sealing with ‘pragmatic’ decision. 

Although NE  has been recognized under high terror zone, following Home Minister Rajnath Sing’s order to seal the unfenced border works, but under Tripura’s CPI-M regime, the security issue is yet to be taken seriously. Evenafter the nabbing of many Jihadi suspected from Sonamura, including Nigerian smugglers Tripura PWD yet to boost the unfecning border. 

The locals did not allow any fencing work inside 150 yards of the borderline and not even in the zero line, alleging that it will divide their families. Sources said that the state government has sought Rs 91 crore, in the name of rehabilitation package for fence victims & with that the work was delaying. 

Sonamura has been popular for many issues including Fake Passport, Smuggling, Ganja Cultivation, Jihadi intrusion. Sonamura is often called the Mini Pakistan of Tripura, which has become an open market for Bangladeshis. 

Passing via Sonamura border has become a piece of cake for regular goers without passport. Sonamura has been popular for cannabis, and like tea gardens the nurturing of Ganja is held.

The Supreme Court has recently expressed its "regret" and serious "dissatifaction" over the "vague" affidavit filed by the Centre that actual construction work of the 263-km fencing along Indo-Bangladesh border will take three years and go beyond the year 2020, said a report. Now with this statement whether Tripura’s fencing will be delay more not it can not be said.

However, decision about the border fencing as fast as possible was a very positive news for Tripura as the state is suffering from illegal intrusion from Bangladesh citizens and ISIS agent, Nigerian, NLFT all are entering state taking the opportunity of unfenced border.

In 2016, after its decision to completely seal the 262 km-long India-Bangladesh border in Assam, the Central Government is now mulling on sealing the international border in Tripura. But Tripura’s Muhuri Char issue has remained unsolved and already the February is running of 2017, which has raised question about the fencing work. Reportedly, under Tripura PWD the work since the beginning have been utter slow and the result is showing the colours today with Extremists-threats. Even after 2007’s explosion, the state govt took less initiative to seal Indo-Bangladesh border.

Bangladesh and India share 4,096-kilometer long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world.