Agartala, October 8: The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Tripura has made significant strides in its ongoing fight against illegal border crossings and drug trafficking, arresting a large number of infiltrators and seized substantial quantities of narcotics.
Speaking to reporters at Police Reserve on Tuesday, Somen Sarkar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the GRP, shared key developments from January to September 2024.
Sarkar said that the GRP arrested 239 Bangladeshi nationals and 18 Rohingyas for illegally crossing into India from Bangladesh. In addition, 54 Indian touts were also apprehended for aiding and facilitating these illegal entries.
Most arrests were made at the Agartala railway station while the infiltrators were attempting to board long-distance trains heading to other states.
Sarkar highlighted that infiltrators have been exploiting weak spots in the border fencing, often with the assistance of local touts, making it a persistent challenge for law enforcement.
He stressed the need for enhanced coordination between various security forces to address this issue effectively.
“There are vulnerable sections along the border that are being exploited, and we need stronger coordination and dialogue between security agencies to seal these gaps,” Sarkar said, indicating that a collaborative approach is required to strengthen border security.
In parallel with their efforts to prevent illegal crossings, the GRP has also intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking.
Underscoring the significance of the railways as a vital battleground in the war against drugs, Sarkar revealed that the GRP have arrested 172 drug traffickers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since the start of the year. A wide range of narcotics was seized, including 3,254 kg of marijuana, 8,411 bottles of contraband cough syrup, 314 grams of heroin, and 1,750 illegal tablets.
Much of the seized contraband was intercepted at railway stations, which serve as key transit points for drug traffickers.
The GRP official informed that in an additional effort, the GRP has launched a specialized unit focused on recovering lost or missing mobile phones.
Working closely with the cybercrime unit of Tripura Police, the team has recovered 32 missing phones in just the last month, with some phones being traced as far as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Assam. On Tuesday, these phones were officially handed back to their owners.
“Despite limited resources, the unit has proven effective in delivering quick results, and we are committed to continuing this service,” Sarkar said during the ceremony where the phones were returned.
The recent achievements underscore the multifaceted role of the GRP in Tripura, which includes not only safeguarding railway passengers but also addressing critical issues like illegal infiltration and narcotics smuggling.
Tripura’s proximity to the Bangladesh with long 856 Km border surrounding the hilly state from three sides, the railway network has emerged as a key area for vigilance against both illegal migration and drug trafficking.
State authorities are now looking to further bolster security measures in collaboration with the GRP, aiming to tackle these challenges through enhanced technology, better infrastructure, and improved coordination with central forces.
