Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said the state is now experiencing “exfiltration instead of infiltration”, with undocumented residents leaving amid intensified scrutiny along the international border with Bangladesh.
Addressing reporters on Monday night, Saha said the Border Security Force (BSF) had this year apprehended 57 illegal Rohingya immigrants, 628 Bangladeshi nationals and 280 Indians in separate operations. He said the BSF had been directed to repatriate infiltrators in coordination with Border Guards Bangladesh and in line with legal procedures.
Saha acknowledged that guarding the 856-km border—much of it characterised by difficult terrain, riverine stretches and unfenced segments—remained a challenge, but added that the BSF was doing its best.
Responding to speculation that exfiltration had increased due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in other states, Saha said many who had been living in India using fake documents were now choosing to leave. “Those living in the country with fake documents will have to leave. SIR is going to make an impact in West Bengal after Bihar,” he said.
Asked whether Tripura would undergo SIR, the Chief Minister said the Centre had made it clear that illegal foreigners would not be allowed to stay or participate in the electoral process. “If New Delhi wants, SIR will be conducted in our state. The presence of illegal foreigners poses a threat to national security,” he added.
Saha also criticised the Opposition for attacking the SIR process, remarking that “infiltration was a political feed to them”, while the government’s aim was to ensure that only genuine Indian citizens take part in elections.
