By Firstdespatch Desk May 20, 2023
Agartala, May 20 (FD) Five Rohingya refugees were apprehended on Friday at Dharmanagar railway station in North Tripura district for illegally crossing the Indo-Bangla international border and attempting to board a train to Jammu.
Tripura Police said that "Six Rohingyas arrived in Dharmanagar from Bangladesh on May 18, with one woman accompanying them. However, the woman had left with a broker. Fake Aadhar cards were discovered in their possession, prompting further investigation".
The five detainees, consisting of three men and two women, were identified as Aman Ullah, Mohammad Shah, Mohammad Ehsas, Rozina Begum, and Nur Kalima. Mohammad Ehsas revealed that they were previously residing in the Kutpalang refugee camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, and had crossed into Indian Territory on May 17.
Their intention was to board a train and ultimately reach Jammu, but their plans were foiled due to arrest. It was disclosed by some of the arrested Rohingyas that they were given help of two Bangladeshi and two Indian brokers, each paying 25 thousands Bangladeshi Taka, who provided them with counterfeit Aadhar cards.
While one woman, Ruqsar Bibi, joined them in crossing over to India, she left with a broker after reaching Agartala. Rozina Begum, one of the detained Rohingya women, stated that they originated from Salbagaan in Myanmar and had first entered Bangladesh with the assistance of a broker before crossing into India.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in March this year, when three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for illegal entry into India through the Indo-Bangla border in Kailasahar.
According to a BSF report, a total of 369 individuals were apprehended in various operations in Tripura in 2022, including 59 Rohingyas, 160 Indians, and 150 Bangladeshis, indicating an increase compared to the previous year.
Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh, with certain sections remaining unfenced due to local disputes and demarcation-related issues. The authorities remain vigilant in addressing border security concerns and preventing illegal crossings. FD SB JK