Tripura CPI(M) Leader Jitendra Choudhury Demands Rehabilitation for Indian Families Stuck Outside India-Bangladesh Border Fencing

He highlighted how they are deprived of essential government welfare schemes and basic amenities.

Tripura’s Opposition Leader and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhary has urged the government to rehabilitate Indian families living outside the barbed-wire border fencing along the India-Bangladesh border in Sepahijala district.

During his visit to the Motinagar area on Saturday, Chaudhary interacted with residents who are trapped in a narrow strip of land between the border fencing and the zeroline. He highlighted how they are deprived of essential government welfare schemes and basic amenities.

Chaudhary pointed out that these families, despite being Indian citizens, live in isolation due to the fencing being constructed 500 yards away from the zeroline instead of the standard 150 yards as per the Indira-Mujib pact between India and Bangladesh.

As a result, around 84 families in the area face severe movement restrictions, especially from dusk to dawn. They must pass through BSF-controlled gates, which close by 5:30 PM, making it extremely difficult for laborers, auto drivers, and others who work outside the fenced area to return home.

Although these families have access to electricity, they lack critical government facilities such as ICDS centers, schools, and clean drinking water.

Chaudhary revealed that three days ago, there was an attempt to cut off their electricity supply. However, after his intervention and discussions with the District Magistrate, the move was temporarily halted.

He reiterated his demand for the relocation of these families so they can access government schemes and live with dignity like other citizens. He also urged the authorities to reconsider the placement of the barbed-wire border fencing and bring it in line with the Indira-Mujib agreement’s original 150-yard distance from the zeroline.

Emphasizing the sacrifices these families have made for the country by enduring such hardships, Chaudhary assured them that he would escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities. He stressed that since these families are willing to relocate for national security, the government must take responsibility for ensuring their proper rehabilitation.

With this demand, the CPI(M) leader has drawn attention to the long-standing plight of border residents in Tripura, urging the government to take immediate action.

Tripura shares an 856-km-long border with Bangladesh, and more than 96 percent of it is covered with barbed-wire fencing.

Also Read: Tripura: Mahila Congress Stages Protest, Demands Immediate Implementation of 33% Women’s Reservation Law in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies

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