Around 1,000 protestors under the banner of the Amarpur Sub-Division Conscious Citizens’ Forum staged a demonstration in Amarpur, Gomati district, demanding the closure of camps allegedly belonging to the Bangladeshi armed group Parbattyo Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) led by Santu Larma.
The protestors submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, urging strict action to secure Tripura’s borders, arrest and deport all alleged PCJSS (Santu) leaders and cadres, and dismantle their alleged camps inside the state.
In the memorandum, they alleged that illegal immigration from Bangladesh remains a serious problem, with the PCJSS (Santu) spearheading “organised infiltration.” They claimed that PCJSS leaders and cadres from Bangladesh have been settling in Tripura, while armed cadres have allegedly set up camps in border areas.
The protestors cited a June 3 incident when 13 alleged members of the group were arrested in Hapania, Agartala, after receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained while allegedly entering India illegally.
They further alleged that PCJSS (Santu) members are involved in drug trafficking, smuggling of Burmese cigarettes, cattle, and arms, and receive financial and political backing from Pakistan’s ISI as well as Bangladesh.
According to the protestors, the group has allegedly established armed camps at Narayanpur/Mog Para, Lakkhidar Para, Korollyachari, and Kamalakha under Gandachara Sub-Division; Midhingechari under Kanchanpur Sub-Division; and Sushenpara (Baghechara) under Amarpur Division, all along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
They also claimed the group’s cadres allegedly extort “taxes” from Indian citizens visiting border areas, and threaten locals both directly and through Indian agents, making it difficult for residents to carry out activities in these regions.
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