Tripura Police have detained 13 members of a Bangladeshi organization in a recent operation, heightening security concerns in the border region. The individuals, including two women, were apprehended on Tuesday night from a rented house in the Hapania area of Agartala, the state capital. Authorities are currently interrogating them, and they are expected to be pushed back to Bangladesh soon.
According to reports, the detained individuals are suspected to be members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), a political group active in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. The PCJSS is a Left-inclined organization that has been associated with ethnic political movements and, at times, armed resistance in the CHT.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the group crossed the India-Bangladesh border illegally, reportedly seeking medical treatment. Several of them were found with injuries, including burn and cut wounds, primarily on their legs and hands, which they are believed to have sustained during recent armed clashes with a rival group, the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), in Panchari, Bangladesh. The UPDF is a Chakma-led political faction headed by Prasit Khisha.
The arrest was made based on a tip-off, leading the Amtali Police Station personnel to raid the rented house near Tripura Medical College in Hapania. The police are investigating their motives for entering India, their intended destination, and any potential connections to insurgent or separatist activities in the region. Intelligence agencies are also examining whether the group planned to establish sleeper cells or recruit sympathizers within India.
The detention has raised concerns due to the sensitive location of Hapania, which is close to the international border and has been a hotspot for infiltration attempts and smuggling activities. The incident has prompted heightened surveillance and security measures in the area. A senior police official stated that the detainees did not possess valid travel documents, further confirming their illegal entry.
Following the arrests, the police handed the individuals over to the Mobile Task Force (MTF), which then transferred them to the Border Security Force (BSF). Authorities plan to jointly push them back to Bangladesh.
The PCJSS has been under scrutiny by Indian security forces, particularly its leader, Santu Larma, who has served as Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council for 27 years without any election. There have been allegations of Larma's close connections with Pakistan's ISI.
The incident has sparked discussions on the need for enhanced border security measures and intelligence sharing between India and Bangladesh. Security analysts are urging both the central and state governments to update intelligence protocols, deploy advanced monitoring systems, and foster regional cooperation to prevent future breaches. Local authorities are also increasing vigilance and encouraging community members to report any suspicious activities.
The arrest highlights Tripura's commitment to maintaining border security and preventing illegal activities. The state shares a long and porous border with Bangladesh, making it vulnerable to cross-border movements. The government has intensified patrols and surveillance in recent months to curb infiltration by militant groups, smuggling networks, and other unlawful elements.
