Agartala: April 13: The issue of border security has come under renewed focus following an incident of illegal entry at the India-Bangladesh border. On the evening of April 12, seven Bangladeshi nationals reportedly crossed the barbed-wire fence at the Amzad Nagar border in the Belonia subdivision and entered Indian territory. They are currently in police custody.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by IPS officer Rishav and Belonia Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Shibu Ranjan Dey intercepted a white Maruti Eco car at a checkpoint in the Manurmukh Tabla Chowmuhani area. Upon inspection, seven Bangladeshi nationals were found inside the vehicle. The driver, Raju Biswas, along with the seven individuals, was taken to Belonia Police Station. The detainees admitted to crossing the border with the assistance of an Indian individual who facilitated their entry for money and arranged transportation to Agartala.
Police recovered seven Android phones, one keypad phone, ₹1,64,780 in Indian currency, and ৳1,935 in Bangladeshi currency from the detainees. The individuals claimed to be members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, affiliated with the Awami League, and stated that they sought refuge in India due to insecurity in Bangladesh. However, reports suggest possible links to extremist groups, raising concerns about potential attempts to incite unrest in India.
The Belonia Police have filed cases against the seven Bangladeshi nationals—Robin Hossain (29), Mohammad Rafi (25), Amjad Hossain (27), Shahidur Zaman (28), Fazal (24), Rehan Molla (21), and Gias Uddin (35)—under the Indian Penal Code. On April 13, 2025, the accused, including the driver, were presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Belonia, who ordered 12 days of judicial custody. The next hearing is scheduled for April 24, 2025.
The incident has sparked concerns among residents of border areas such as Amzad Nagar, Matai, Rishyamukh, Rajnagar, Rangamura, and Radhanagar. Locals have criticized the Border Security Force for alleged inaction and called for stricter surveillance and security measures to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling. Despite the presence of barbed-wire fencing, questions remain about how infiltrators manage to cross the border.
Residents have emphasized the need for enhanced border monitoring to address these issues effectively.
