Agartala, July 7: Thousands of people marched through the streets of Agartala on Monday, waving national flags and voicing strong opposition to illegal immigration in Tripura. The apolitical rally was led by Tipra Motha MLA and former rebel leader Ranjit Debbarma, drawing participants from across the state.
Organised under the banner of a newly floated non-political organisation, the rally aimed to press for the immediate detention and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in Tripura. Notably, the event remained free of political party symbols, with participants holding only the national tricolour, underscoring its non-partisan nature.
The demonstration began at RS Bhavan and passed through major roads before concluding at Swami Vivekananda Maidan. Though Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman was initially expected to attend, he had to leave for Delhi due to other commitments. In his absence, Debbarma and other community leaders addressed the gathering.
Speaking to the crowd, Debbarma clarified, “This is not a political rally. I’ve left my party flag behind. Today, I speak as a concerned citizen of Tripura.” He commended the Centre for its 2025 directive on the deportation of illegal immigrants and urged state authorities to act swiftly and decisively.
He criticized the inaction on earlier directives from 1971, 2017, and 2021 and claimed the latest notification followed his direct appeal to the Ministry of Home Affairs. “This is an issue that transcends communities—be it tribal, Bengali, Hindu, or Muslim. We must stand united to protect Tripura’s future,” he said.
Citing international practices, Debbarma remarked, “If the US can deport undocumented Indians in chains, India must also act decisively against illegal immigrants.”
The rally highlighted growing concerns over demographic changes and received wide public support.
