Tripura: Complete Stop on Immigration from Bangladesh Starting Tomorrow

Agartala, March 14, 2020: 

Immigration from Bangladesh through the Akhaura land port in Tripura is likely to be stopped completely from March 15 as a precautionary measure to combat novel coronavirus.

Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner Kiriti Chakma said that India had already cancelled all the visas. Even medical visas have been also cancelled. "There are widespread rumours that medical visas are allowed but there is no specific mention in the health advisory issued by the central government," he said.

He informed that people who were stuck in India had been informed to return within today or tomorrow as the Government might stop all kind immigration following the emergency.  “Till today, the Bangladeshi immigrants now in India are able to go back but this is also likely to be stopped by tomorrow”, Chakma added.

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The novel coronavirus has not yet been able to impact the Indo-Bangladesh trade through the Akhaura land port in Tripura, although the other two entry points - Srimantapur and Muhurighat have been sealed for any kind of trade transactions.

According to reports, the port is also running as usual. However, the trade connect can be interrupted any time soon as the state government has enforced the epidemic act in order to combat the novel coronavirus.

According to a member of the Import-Export Association, Agartala, trade activities Muhurighat and Srimantapur have been suspended due to lack of quarantine facilities. “As per the officials, there are no proper arrangement of quarantine camp or adequate medical facilities”, a trader said in the condition of anonymity.

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Sources in the land port authorities also cautioned the trade through Akhaura might also get stopped by next week . But , Akhaura land port manager Debasish Nandi had said that no such orders reached them till now.

It may be mentioned here that Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who also holds the health portfolio said that no confirmed cases of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was reported in the state so far and the situation is under close monitoring.

Altogether, 37 people were kept under isolation after initial screening. They were under observation in the isolation ward of GB Hospital. Deb also cautioned the rumor mongers adding that any kind of attempt to spread rumor would merely invite legal action. He also appealed everyone to visit nearest healthcare institutions in case of any symptoms like cold cough and fever.

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Addressing the media, the Chief Minister also said that leaflets having awareness notes on the preventive measures in local language would be distributed in various parts of the state to raise awareness among the citizens.

Meanwhile, the virus has claimed as many as 5,547 deaths worldwide, and 69,649 people are currently affected. 5,683 (or 8%) are said to be in serious/critical condition. Total recovered cases stood at 79,257 worldwide.

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