Raising alarm over recurrent flooding in border areas, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Asish Kumar Saha has written to Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, urging immediate construction of river embankments in Belonia (South Tripura) and Kailashahar (Unakoti) districts.
In his letter, Saha linked the worsening flood situation to lapses in India’s foreign policy under the present regime. He claimed that the traditionally balanced foreign policy of independent India has weakened during the BJP era, adversely affecting border states like Tripura.
Referring to last year’s flooding in the Kailashahar-Bangladesh border region, Saha said, “Following the floods, the Bangladesh government constructed a high embankment on their side. Consequently, agricultural lands on our side were submerged after minimal rainfall. The silence from both the central and state governments during this crisis was deafening.”
He further alleged that the Bangladesh government has now begun another embankment project at Belonia, South Tripura—without consulting or adhering to international protocols.
“In both instances, the state government has remained indifferent. While international matters are the Centre’s responsibility, one questions whether the Home Ministry is even adequately informed of the ongoing border developments,” Saha remarked.
He stressed that any construction near international borders must follow established bilateral norms and added that both central and state governments share responsibility for the fallout of Bangladesh’s unilateral actions.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the Congress chief said that although the new embankment in Belonia has yet to be completed, the town experienced significant flooding over the last two days. “The local hospital was submerged, and essential medicines were damaged. Despite the severity, the state government has failed to act,” he noted.
Saha also drew attention to the plight of minority communities in border villages. “In many areas, people’s homes and land have ended up beyond the barbed wire fence, forcing them to live like outsiders in their own country—even though they possess valid citizenship and land documents,” he said.
He concluded by urging the Chief Secretary to prioritize the needs of citizens in border regions and take immediate steps toward a long-term solution—especially ahead of the approaching monsoon season.
