CISA holds Tripura Pre-Event of NERDIS 2026
AGARTALA: The Centre for Internal Security Analysis (CISA) in collaboration with HQ 21 Sector Assam Rifles and representatives from Tripura University organised the Tripura Pre-Event of the North Eastern Regional Dialogue on Internal Security—NERDIS-2026 Wednesday. The dialogue brought together senior security practitioners, scholars, policy experts, researchers, journalists and representatives of academic and public institutions to examine Tripura’s evolving security, development and geopolitical landscape.
The programme commenced with a keynote address by Col KC Monnappa (Retd), Director, Disaster Management Division, CISA, who underlined the need to understand Tripura’s security challenges as interconnected rather than isolated. He underscored that border security, organised crime, disaster resilience, technology, community confidence and development must be addressed through an integrated institutional framework.
The dialogue examined Tripura’s transition from a state once affected by armed insurgency to one seeking to consolidate peace through preventive security, rehabilitation and inclusive development. Participants observed that while peace agreements and surrender frameworks have considerably improved the security environment, the legacy of insurgency continues to require institutional vigilance.
Residual networks, unresolved grievances, inadequate rehabilitation and the growing influence of narcotics and organised crime could create new forms of insecurity if not addressed at an early stage.
Brigadier Nishant Chandel, Commander, Headquarters 21 Sector Assam Rifles, discussed Tripura’s counterinsurgency experience and the transition from armed mobilisation towards preventive security. His contribution highlighted the importance of institutional memory, early-warning mechanisms, intelligence coordination, effective rehabilitation and continued preparedness against the convergence of former militant networks, narcotics trafficking and organised criminal activity.
The changing technological dimension of internal security was examined by Ankit Tewari, Director, Counter Terrorism Division, CISA. The session focused on misinformation, deepfakes, online radicalisation, cyber fraud, encrypted communication and the use of digital platforms by trafficking, criminal and extremist networks.
The discussion stressed the need to protect not only physical borders but also digital spaces, financial systems and vulnerable individuals exposed to manipulative or inflammatory online content.
Tripura’s strategic position within India’s neighbourhood and Act East policies formed another major area of discussion. Smruti S Pattanaik, Research Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, examined how border states such as Tripura can become more active stakeholders in the implementation of India’s neighbourhood policy. She highlighted the importance of connecting national foreign-policy priorities with the experiences of state governments, local administrations, security agencies, businesses and border communities.
Dr Afsara Shaheen, Research Associate at the Institute of Conflict Management, examined the opportunities, risks and regional implications of expanding border connectivity. The session recognised that improved connectivity with Bangladesh can strengthen trade, mobility and regional integration, but must be accompanied by secure documentation, effective border governance and preparedness against illegal migration, trafficking, narcotics movement, document fraud and other transnational crimes.
The wider geopolitical environment of the Northeast was addressed by Dr Mohd. Firoz Ahamed, Research Fellow at Aligarh Muslim University. His contribution examined how developments in Bangladesh and Myanmar, China’s strategic presence, the role of other major powers and expanding Indo-Pacific engagement can influence Tripura’s internal security, infrastructure, trade, migration patterns and regional connectivity. The discussion called for closer coordination among foreign-policy institutions, security agencies, state governments and local stakeholders.
The dialogue also explored the relationship between economic development and border security. Prof. (Dr) Ashish Nath, Professor, Department of Economics, Tripura University, discussed how India–Bangladesh border trade, land ports, border haats, transport corridors and formal commercial systems can generate employment, support local enterprises and reduce the economic isolation of border communities. Participants noted that lawful trade can serve as an instrument of stability when supported by efficient customs systems, secure infrastructure, transparent documentation and safeguards against contraband and organised crime.
The potential of Tripura to emerge as a gateway between Northeast India, Bangladesh and the wider eastern neighbourhood was repeatedly emphasised. Speakers observed that connectivity and border infrastructure should not be viewed only as economic projects. When designed inclusively, they can create employment, strengthen public confidence, reduce dependence on illicit economies and provide legitimate opportunities for young people living in border areas.
Youth vulnerability and the role of civil society were examined by Dr Trinankur Dey, Assistant Professor at ICFAI University. The session highlighted how unemployment, substance abuse, disrupted education, social alienation and limited livelihood opportunities can expose young people to recruitment by narcotics networks, smugglers, traffickers and extremist organisations. Participants stressed that rehabilitation must extend beyond short-term assistance and include education, counselling, de-addiction, skills development, sports, entrepreneurship, employment and dignified social reintegration.
The dialogue also addressed indigenous aspirations, constitutional dialogue and the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord of 2024. Dr Biswaranjan Tripura, Assistant Professor, Centre for Social Justice and Governance, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, discussed the accord’s significance in addressing concerns relating to history, land and political rights, identity, culture, language and economic development. The session underlined the need for transparent, inclusive and time-bound implementation in consultation with relevant institutions and stakeholders.
Participants observed that indigenous concerns relating to land, identity, political representation, livelihoods and demographic security must be addressed through sustained constitutional dialogue and sensitive governance. Security measures and constitutional protections were recognised as mutually reinforcing requirements rather than competing priorities.
Dr Sunil Kalai, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tripura University, examined the intersection of infiltration, indigenous rights, cross-border terrorism and conflict prevention. His contribution highlighted the importance of distinguishing organised infiltration, extremist mobility and trafficking from movements driven by economic or humanitarian pressures. The session stressed that legitimate security enforcement should avoid ethnic profiling, collective suspicion and the further polarisation of communities.
The role of the press and public communication in strengthening democratic resilience was discussed by Shri Pratim Ranjan Bose, columnist, commentator, author, researcher and journalist. He highlighted how rumours, manipulated content, communal messaging and cross-border narratives can rapidly disturb public order.
The session recognised journalists and editors as essential partners in verification, responsible crisis reporting and public awareness while reaffirming the importance of press freedom and legitimate scrutiny.