NIA raids in Tripura on
In a significant operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is carrying out extensive raids in Tripura. Sources said the NIA raids are being conducted across the state to nab the kingpins involved in human trafficking and violations of the Passports Act. The NIA Teams are being helped by Tripura Police and Assam Police.
Last night the NIA swooped down in border areas of the city.
So far 25 persons were arrested in Tripura, officials said.
The NIA was particularly trying to arrest those involved in Rohingya Muslim cross overs from Bangladesh.
There are 17 teams in the North East region.
Following the NIA raids- which are being carried out in other states like Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry- senior police and intelligence officials held high level meeting in Agartala.
The NIA’s actions are part of an ongoing investigation related to the violation of the Passports Act and human trafficking.
Officials said, in February last, a group of Rohingiyas were detected on a Train coming from Tripura, at Karimganj Railway Station, by the Karimganj Police. After thorough investigation, it came to light that illegal Rohingyas/infiltrators were entering India, through the Indo-Bangladesh Border. After the incident, Assam Police increased the vigil and operations resulting in 450 illegal migrants (Rohingyas/Bangladeshis) being stopped and turned back with the assistance of the Border Guarding Forces.
During the course of enquiries and questioning, it was ascertained that the illegal migrants were facilitated in entering India illegally by Touts/Middlemen, who have been playing a major role in the infiltration. During investigation, it was also learnt that the Touts exist not only on both the sides of the Indo-Bangladesh Border, but also in the mainland. Thus, began an Operation to root out the network of Touts. The Special Task Force (STF), Assam launched the Operation in July and were able to arrest 10 (ten) such Touts/Middlemen. Further investigation, revealed that the network of Touts existed across India, which was a serious National Security concern with Inter-State ramifications.
It was then the Assam Government requested the MHA, Government of India to transfer one of the Cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) given fact that Assam was being used as a corridor for this anti-National activity. Accordingly, NIA took up the case and by the investigation and a collaborative effort with the Assam Police. NIA & Assam Police collated the list of Touts who were involved in this nefarious crime. After meticulous planning, an country wide Operation was launched by the NIA and Assam Police during the wee hours today November 8, 2023 in association with various State Police Forces. In the Operation, so far a total of 47 Touts/Middlemen have been picked up the break-up of which is as follows:
Tripura 25, Assam 5, West Bengal 3, Karnataka 9, Haryana 1, Telengana 1, Tamil Nadu 3 .
Tripura has for the last few years become the one of the main routes for the Rohingya Muslim from Myanmar to other parts of the country. Almost every day Rohingyas were coming to Tripura illegally crossing over the border and then take trains or other modes of transports to go to other states. All these cross overs are being done with the help of local middlemen in exchange of huge amount of money.
