Bangladesh Meddles in India’s Matters Again, BGB Stops Embankment Repair Work in Tripura

The suspension of the repair work has raised serious concerns of flooding in the Unakoti distt headquarters with monsoons round the corner.

Bangladesh is meddling in India’s matters again. After constructing an embankment within a few metres of the zero line along the India-Bangladesh border near the Muhuri River in South Tripura, putting the lives of at least 500 families of South Tripura at risk, Bangladesh Border Guards have stopped the repair work of an embankment in Kailashahar in Tripura that borders Bangladesh.

The suspension of the repair work has raised serious concerns of flooding in the Unakoti district headquarters with monsoons round the corner.

The repair work along the banks of the Manu river in areas like Vidyanagar, Durgapur, Sonamara, Govindpur, and the crematorium zone in Kailashahar, as well as rural areas like Safarkandi, Latiyapura, Rangaouti, and Maguruli, had commenced about a month ago after decades of neglect.

The crematorium, crucial to the residents of Kailashahar, is located right beside the India-Bangladesh international border and has been in use since before Bangladesh’s liberation war. The only access to the crematorium is via the Manu river embankment.

However, a few days ago, while repair work was ongoing in the crematorium area, Bangladeshi border guards reportedly intervened and forcibly halted the construction, intimidating workers and stopping the work without any official channel—an act considered completely illegal.

Following this, local BSF authorities informed the local administration. Kailashahar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pradip Sarkar wrote to Executive Engineer Ranjay Debbarma of the state’s Flood Control Department. Debbarma then forwarded the issue to his senior officials.

In response, a team comprising Kailashahar Municipal Council Chairperson Chapala Rani Debroy, Water Resource Division, Kailashahar, Executive Engineer Ranjay Debbarma, local councillors Manashi Bhattacharya and Siddhartha Roy, and other administrative officers visited the affected area for inspection.

During the visit, they confirmed with BSF jawans that the obstruction came directly from the Bangladeshi Border Guards.

Speaking to reporters, Executive Engineer Debbarma confirmed that BGB has raised objections over the work and due to which at present it has halted but soon it has to be resumed to complete the work as it is already monsoon season and to protect the area from flooding.

Chairperson Chapala Rani Debroy said, “This crematorium is the only one in the Kailashahar Municipal area. Due to the obstruction from Bangladeshi forces and recent rainfall, the condition of the embankment has deteriorated and is no longer accessible. Locals are unable to transport bodies to the crematorium. Restoration work must resume immediately. It’s unacceptable for Bangladeshi border guards to interfere in India’s internal development work. Do they even understand who they are messing with?”

She further clarified that the Indian government is not constructing any new infrastructure, but simply repairing a 46-year-old embankment. The work, carried out legally by the Flood Control Department, was suddenly halted by Bangladeshi forces.

On the contrary, just a few months ago, the Bangladesh government built a large and elevated embankment in the darkness of night near Debipur in Rangaouti Gram Panchayat—right beside the international border—without informing Indian authorities. Yet now, they are unlawfully interfering in India’s repair efforts.

This incident has triggered significant tension across the border areas and the entire Unakoti district.

Also Read: Tripura Govt to Fill 13,000 Vacant Posts Soon: Finance Minister Amid Opposition Heat

COMMENTS