Pradyot Deb Barma
Credit: X/@PradyotManikya
Guwahati: India should immediately have a clear policy regarding the elections in Bangladesh in order to pre-empt threats to the country's Northeast from the "anti-India forces" in the neighbouring nation, Pradyot Deb Barma, the founder of Tipra Motha, an ally of the BJP government in Tripura, said.
"If Sheikh Hasina's party is not allowed to take part in the elections, the anti-India forces are bound to form the government. So after the results, there will be more attacks on the minorities, on the Hindus, Christians, Buddhists...So whatever party comes to power, it is going to be anti-India. So what will be our situation? India should have a clear policy to deal with the possible threats, particularly to the Northeast," Deb Barma said on Sunday night.
"There is a constant attempt in Bangladesh to target India's Northeast. The region will face the biggest threats, Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya are on the frontline and they will face the consequences. The problem with India is that whenever a country challenges us, we stop playing cricket or boycott shows of their musicians or cultural icons. We must speak from the position of power," he said.
Illegal migration:
Deb Barma also questioned the steps taken to deal with the problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh into Tripura and the rest of the Northeast.
"Many illegal migrants are coming from Myanmar and Bangladesh. But what are we doing? We are keeping quiet. Because it suits our vote bank politics. If we don't take steps, they will go to Assam, get Aadhar cards, PAN cards and during the delimitation exercise in 2027, they will become voters," he said.
Deb Barma, the Royal scion of Tripura said he had information that at least 20 illegal migrants from Bangladesh had settled in Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council Area. "This is not new. Tripura suffered a lot because of illegal migration in the past. This is not the time for politics." he said.
With 13 MLAs, Tipra Motha is now an ally of the BJP-led government in Tripura. Deb Barma also expressed concern over the delay in the implementation of the Tipra Accord, which was signed last year to address the issues concerning the state's indigenous Tipra communities.