Five Myanmar nationals, including a child, were detained in Tripura’s Dhalai district for illegal entry without valid visas. A fake Aadhaar card was also recovered, prompting an intelligence investigation into cross-border infiltration amid growing concerns about border security in the region.
In a development that has raised alarms among intelligence and security circles, five Myanmar nationals, including a minor, were detained in Tripura’s Dhalai district for illegally entering India without valid visas or complete travel documents. A fake Aadhaar card found during the police operation has added a layer of suspicion, triggering a high-level investigation.
The individuals were detained in Lalchhari village under the Ambassa police station after local residents, noticing their presence in a rented house for nearly a week, alerted authorities. Acting promptly on the tip-off, Inspector Uttam Kumar Das conducted a raid and took all five into custody.
During preliminary questioning, the detainees claimed they were in Tripura to meet a friend. One among them presented an Aadhaar card, attempting to use it as identification. However, a swift verification process revealed the card to be counterfeit, raising serious questions about their identity and intentions.
The detained individuals were later identified as Roger Khaini (33), Anug Naing Tong (40), Tang Wing (60), Pe Tai Zen (09), and Sundar Wing (23). Among these, both Tang Wing and Sundar Wing were found without passports, and none of the five possessed valid Indian visas—making their stay a direct violation of immigration laws.
Upon further interrogation, the detainees claimed to have entered India through the porous Mizoram border, allegedly in search of medical treatment. They also named a contact—residing in Hyderabad and originally from Mogpara under Kumarghat subdivision—who they claimed helped facilitate their illegal entry into the state. Police are currently tracing this associate.
The group, reportedly educated and fluent only in English or their native language, has posed challenges for the investigators due to language barriers and inconsistencies in their statements. Authorities confirmed that their narratives keep evolving with each interrogation, leading to increased suspicions of a broader network or agenda.
Initial document verification revealed that only three out of the five had valid passports. The absence of any visas and the presence of a minor have further complicated the legal and humanitarian aspects of the case. Police officials have registered a case under IPC provisions and the Passport Act, with charges also filed under Section 3 of the Foreigners Act (Case No. 15/2025).
Inspector James Malsom is heading the ongoing investigation. All five individuals are set to be produced before the Dhalai District and Sessions Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, central and state intelligence agencies have launched parallel probes to determine the extent of the infiltration and whether any national security risks are involved.
This incident comes amid growing concern in Tripura about increasing instances of illegal immigration. In recent months, authorities have noted a sharp rise in cross-border movement, particularly from neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh. Intelligence reports have identified key infiltration zones in the Dhalai district, including Ambassa, Kamalpur, Gandacherra, and Raisyabari, as frequently used entry points due to weak border surveillance.
Security experts and local political leaders have urged the central government and Border Security Force (BSF) to scale up patrolling and deploy advanced monitoring systems along the international borders. They argue that the porous nature of Tripura’s borders continues to make the state vulnerable to undocumented immigration, which could carry security and demographic implications if left unchecked.
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As the investigation continues, officials have not ruled out the possibility of uncovering a larger racket involving forged documents and organized cross-border entry. The discovery of a fake Aadhaar card in this case underscores concerns that illegal entrants may be attempting to obtain Indian identification, potentially for long-term stay or other undisclosed purposes.
The state government has assured the public that strict action will be taken against those involved, and enhanced surveillance measures are under consideration to safeguard the region against such security threats in the future.
