Tripura Police have detained thirteen Bangladeshi nationals suspected to be associated with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), a political outfit operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. The individuals, including eleven men and two women, were apprehended late Tuesday night in a rented house in the Hapania area of Agartala, which falls under the West Tripura district and is close to the international border.

According to authorities, the detainees had entered India approximately six days prior, reportedly seeking medical treatment. A senior intelligence officer stated that the individuals claimed to be members of the PCJSS and sought refuge in Tripura to address injuries sustained during recent unrest in the CHT. Preliminary reports indicate that at least six of them had visible injuries, including burns and cuts, primarily on their legs.

The detained individuals have been identified as Thuithui Mog (23), Angla Mog (35), Rumel Chakma (27), Aoj Chakma (30), Dravid Chakma (24), Ramen Chakma (24), Mik Chakma (28), Nirbhoy Chakma (27), Choice Chakma (21), Bitu Chakma (17), Kimon Chakma (22), Purna Chakma (24), and Nayanchi Mog (21).

The PCJSS, established in 1972, advocates for autonomy and the rights of the indigenous Jumma people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The organization historically had ties to an armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, which engaged in an insurgency until the 1997 CHT Peace Accord was signed with the Bangladesh government.

Given Tripura's extensive and porous border with the CHT, the region has historically experienced influxes of tribal refugees and political activists seeking refuge or medical assistance. The current detainees are being interrogated, and authorities are collaborating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Border Security Force (BSF) to conduct further investigations. Officials are focusing on determining their motives for entering India, their routes of entry, and any potential connections to insurgent or separatist activities in the region. Preliminary interrogation suggests that they crossed the border illegally and have possible affiliations with the PCJSS

The police have handed over the detainees to the Mobile Task Force (MTF), who will then hand them over to BSF. All 13 members would be pushed back soon to Bangladesh jointly by BSF and MTF.

The incident has prompted increased security measures in the border zone, with authorities emphasizing the need for vigilance and updated intelligence-sharing protocols. Security analysts are urging the Centre and state governments to deploy advanced monitoring systems and enhance regional cooperation with Bangladesh to prevent future border breaches. The Tripura government is also coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Agartala to verify the identities and home addresses of those detained.