Thirteen suspected members of Bangladesh’s PCJSS were detained in Agartala, Tripura after illegal border crossing for medical aid following violent factional clashes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The arrests highlight rising unrest and cross-border movement amid political tensions before the upazila elections.
the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), thirteen individuals allegedly associated with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) were detained in the early hours of Wednesday near Hapania in Agartala, Tripura. The group, which included two women, had reportedly crossed into India illegally about a week prior in search of medical treatment following internal clashes in the CHT.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of intensifying violence between rival factions in the CHT. On May 14, a fierce gun battle broke out between the Santu Larma-led faction of the PCJSS and the Prasit Khisa-led United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Baghaichari upazila of Rangamati district. The violence, which erupted early in the morning in the Dulobonia area of Bangaltali Union, reportedly continued throughout the day. The first major exchange of gunfire occurred on Monday afternoon at Suketan field and saw nearly 1,000 rounds fired, according to local reports.
Although no official fatalities were confirmed, the heavy exchange of fire damaged property and instilled fear among local residents. Several homes were hit by stray bullets, leaving furniture destroyed and the atmosphere tense. The ongoing feud is believed to stem from a power struggle between the two groups in anticipation of the upcoming upazila parishad elections.
Based on confidential intelligence inputs, a team of law enforcement officers launched a swift operation and detained the 13 individuals from a rented residence located near the Tripura Medical College under Amtali police station. According to sources, the group had rented the property for medical purposes after sustaining injuries—five of them during a reported internal firing incident at their base camp in the CHT.
Police officials confirmed the identities of the detained individuals as: Thuithui Moh (23), Angla Mog (35), Rumel Chakma (37), Aoj Chakma alias Shanta (30), Dravid Chakma (24), Ramen Chakma (24), Mik Chakma (28), Nirbhoy Chakma (27), Choice Chakma (21), Bitu Chakma (17), Kimon Chakma (22), and two women — Purna Chakma (24), wife of Nirbhoy Chakma, and Nayanchi Mog.
The group had reportedly entered India through Gandatwisa, formerly known as Gandacherra, in Dhalai district of Tripura. Interestingly, the owner of the rented house is also a native of the same region, which may have facilitated the group’s temporary shelter in Agartala.
Locals living near the rented property reported observing suspicious movements, further raising red flags among authorities. This was not the first instance where injured militants or political operatives from CHT have sought refuge or medical aid in Tripura. Intelligence agencies have long suspected that the porous and forested India-Bangladesh border is being used to aid such cross-border movements.
Tripura’s police, along with central intelligence units, are now delving deeper into the case to ascertain the exact motives and affiliations of the detained individuals. Preliminary interrogations have so far revealed that the injuries were sustained due to internal clashes, not encounters with security forces.
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The detainment of PCJSS operatives in Agartala raises critical questions about the regional security implications and the existing support network that enables cross-border movement for politically motivated groups. With elections approaching in CHT, concerns over an escalation in factional violence are becoming increasingly real, prompting authorities in both countries to tighten surveillance and border controls.
The PCJSS, particularly the Santu Larma faction, has been a key player in the politics of the Chittagong Hill Tracts since the signing of the CHT Peace Accord in 1997. However, rival factions and disagreements over implementation of the accord have led to intermittent violence over the years. Santu Larma himself has held significant sway in the region, having been appointed as Chairman of the CHT Regional Council during the caretaker government led by Dr. Mohammed Yunus.
As the investigation continues, both Indian and Bangladeshi authorities are expected to collaborate more closely to monitor cross-border insurgent activity and prevent future incidents that may threaten peace in the region.
