Agartala: May 21: An illegally constructed dam near the Indo-Bangla border in Ballamukha, under Belonia subdivision of South Tripura district, has caused repeated flooding in the area, leaving local farmers in distress. Even mild rainfall now leads to waterlogging, damaging crops and rendering large tracts of farmland unusable.
Local residents allege that the dam, reportedly built on the Bangladeshi side, violates international border norms and has severely disrupted natural drainage. The issue has persisted for months, with authorities failing to take corrective steps despite repeated appeals.
On Wednesday morning, Leader of Opposition and CPIM Politburo member Jitendra Choudhury visited the flood-affected region. He interacted with the affected residents and surveyed the damage firsthand.
“This issue was raised long back by CPIM MLA Dipankar Sen, but no action has been taken by the state government,” Choudhury remarked, highlighting what he termed as the administration’s apathy.
He urged the Tripura state government to treat the matter with urgency and engage with the Central Government to address the cross-border issue diplomatically. “A proactive and diplomatic approach is essential. This is not just a border dispute — it directly affects the livelihoods of farmers,” he added.
Choudhury stated that he would raise the matter with the newly appointed District Magistrate and push for immediate intervention. He was accompanied during the visit by MLAs Dipankar Sen, Ashok Mitra, and other CPIM leaders and activists.
The incident has reignited concerns over cross-border water management and the impact of unauthorized infrastructure on local communities. Residents are now hoping for swift action to prevent further loss of livelihood and ensure long-term flood mitigation.
