In response to mounting security concerns, the Tripura Police are developing a detailed and comprehensive plan to address potential radicalisation in the state's sensitive border zones. The initiative involves close collaboration with central security agencies, triggered by intelligence reports indicating a surge in the movement of religious preachers from neighbouring Bangladesh entering the region.
Border Movement and Security Observations
Officials from the state's home department have noted a significant trend: a large number of Bangladeshi preachers are entering India legally using tourist and medical visas. However, after entry, their activities shift towards religious propagation across Tripura and other states sharing the border with Bangladesh.
A senior official clarified the current assessment, stating, "There is no concrete sign of radical activity at present." Despite this, authorities are maintaining vigilant observation on several fronts. These include orthodox religious preaching, the activities of groups like the Tablighi Jamaat, and the persistent cross-border flow of these preachers.
Demographic Sensitivities and Community Initiatives
The challenge is amplified by Tripura's diverse demographic landscape. The state's extensive border belt, covering 11 subdivisions, is a mosaic of various religious and ethnic communities. The influx of people from several Bangladeshi districts considered sensitive—Chittagong, Feni, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar—remains substantial. This movement occasionally acts as a trigger for ethnic or communal tensions within Tripura.
To proactively manage these complexities, the police have rolled out programs aimed at boosting community involvement in border management. Officials assert that this strategy serves a dual purpose: it significantly improves the gathering of ground-level intelligence while simultaneously fostering a stronger sense of security and trust among local residents.
A "Non-Lethal First" Border Policy
The security response along the border is guided by specific principles. In alignment with UN guidelines on the proportional use of force and the Ministry of Home Affairs' directive prioritizing "non-lethal first" measures, the Border Security Force (BSF) deployed on the Tripura frontier primarily depends on non-lethal weaponry. This approach is deemed especially crucial given the densely populated nature of Tripura's international border, where humanitarian considerations are paramount.
Officials detailed that Pump Action Guns (PAGs) serve as the primary tool to deter trespassers, smugglers, and other individuals involved in cross-border crimes. This methodology marks a distinct contrast to the protocols on India's western border with Pakistan. The focus on non-lethal options aims to effectively control the border while minimising the risk of fatalities.
