Illegal Migrants Becoming 'Vote Bank': Ranjit Debbarma Writes To Home Minister
Jul 22, 2026
Agartala, Jul 22 : Alleging that Bangladeshi migrants holding fraudulently obtained Voter Identity Cards, Aadhaar Cards and other documents have become an "illegal vote bank" for certain political parties, TIPRA Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking urgent introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Tripura. In his letter dated 20 July, Debbarma wrote, "There are a considerable number of Bangladeshi Citizens are residing inside Tripura on the strength of Original Voter Identity Card, Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, Ayusman Card etc, which they obtained by submitting fake documents through the Touts and Dalals under the influence of corrupted Political leaders. They become the 'Illegal Vote Bank' for the specific political parties."
The MLA went further, alleging that some individuals who had migrated to India after 25 March 1971, under what he referred to as the Indira Mujib treaty, had subsequently become elected representatives in the state. He wrote, "The most alarming issue is that some corrupted political leaders who migrated in India after 25th March 1971 (Indira Mujib treaty) become MLA, Panchayat Members, Nagar panchayat Members, Councillors in different Municipal Councils of Tripura and they enjoying powers and privileges depriving the genuine citizens of India." He also alleged that certain advocates, advocate clerks and "Muharis" had helped secure bail for Bangladeshi citizens from courts and arranged their relocation to other Indian states, claiming this had subsequently led to involvement in drug smuggling and anti-national activities.
Debbarma linked these allegations to the continued absence of the ILP in Tripura, referring to the Memorandum of Settlement signed on 23 August 1993 between the All Tripura Tribal Force (ATTF) and the Governor of Tripura. Point 2(e) of the settlement had committed the state government to press the Centre for its introduction, but the MLA said this had not been implemented even 32 years later.He noted that Manipur had introduced the ILP in 2019, while Tripura, sharing an 856 kilometre border with Bangladesh, remains without the system. Referring to his earlier letter dated 23 July 2025, Debbarma said he had raised the issue with the ministry on several previous occasions.The letter has been marked in copy to the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary (Law), Director General of Police of Tripura, and the Inspector General of the BSF in charge of Tripura. Receipt stamps from the Office of the Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura, dated 20 July, indicate the letter has been formally received. There has been no response from the Union Home Ministry so far.
