Essential Goods Smuggling Continues Unabated

Sonamura, December 9, 2023: Despite the high prices of onions and medicines in Tripura, the smuggling of these essential goods to Bangladesh continues unabated. According to a source, a large quantity of life-saving medicines worth crores of rupees is being smuggled to Bangladesh from different border areas of Sonamura sub-division in Tripura for the last few months. Many people are bringing the medicines online or through various land routes and collecting them in areas close to the sub-divisional headquarters. The medicines could have been brought to Bangladesh legally, which would have generated revenue for the Indian government.

However, the smugglers are pocketing this revenue. The source also revealed that the crime-fighting agencies of the administration are either unaware of the smuggling or are turning a blind eye to it. The same can be said about the Border Security Force (BSF). The administration has been very active in cracking down on drug trafficking in Tripura. However, people are questioning whether the administration is taking any steps to prevent the smuggling of essential goods. The price of onions in Tripura is currently skyrocketing. A kilo of onions is selling for Rs. 70 in the open market. However, the same onions are being sold in Bangladesh for 50-55 taka. This is a major cause of anger among the people of Tripura.