Anger grows in Tripura over construction of embankment by Bangladesh along border

Guwahati: Anger is growing in Tripura over construction of an embankment by Bangladesh along the border in South Tripura with local residents fearing a grave flood situation during the monsoon.

Hundreds of youths staged a protest on Monday at Belonia, situated close to the border, demanding action against Bangladesh for allegedly acting against India. BSF personnel manning the border stopped members of Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), youth wing of Tipra Motha, the ally of ruling BJP, who sought to cross the border to dismantle the embankment.

"If this embankment comes up, Belonia will witness severe flood situation during the monsoon. Bangladesh is constructing the embankment violating norms of the border and this is not acceptable. We want the Centre to take action against Bangladesh to stop this anti-India work. But if the Centre fails to act, we are ready to cross the border and stop the construction work," Suraj Debbarma, president of YTF, told reporters.

They said no construction is allowed on the zero line of the border but Bangladesh is reportedly constructing the embankment on the zero line.

"India should take action against Bangladesh government headed by Mohammad Yunus for the anti-India activities," he said.

Tripura witnessed a severe flood during Monsoon last year resulting in deaths of several persons and massive destructions. Local residents of Belonia staged a protest recently stating that the embankment being conducted by Bangladesh could worsen the flood situation in Tripura side.

Following the protest, a team of Tripura government visited Belonia and took stock of the issue, revently. Tripura CM Manik Saha recently said his government conveyed the concerns of the local people to the Centre about construction of the embankment near the border.

Bangladesh has not yet responded to the protests.