In a significant development along the Bangladesh-India border, a joint law enforcement team has apprehended three Indian nationals for allegedly entering Bangladesh illegally. The arrest took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Pujgang area of Panchhari, a remote border region in Khagrachhari district. The news was confirmed on Thursday, 11 December, by Ferdous Wahid, the Officer-in-Charge of Panchhari Police Station.
According to Officer Wahid, “The three individuals were produced before the local court today. Legal proceedings will follow in accordance with the court’s directives.”
The detainees have been identified as James Kumar Riang, 33, Tarsen Riang, 30, and Lal Thakma Riang, 32, all hailing from the Gomati district of Tripura, India, specifically from the Gruinang Para area under New Bazar police jurisdiction.
Police investigations reveal that the trio entered Bangladesh through a clandestine route in Chopling Chhara of Ruisyabari Police Station in Dhalai district, Tripura, last Saturday. They crossed into Panchhari via Rupsen Para and subsequently moved to Rakiang Lake village in nearby Rangamati. They were apprehended while attempting to return to India from Pujgang.
Officer Wahid also elaborated on Lal Thakma Riang’s background, noting, “Although Lal Thakma, also known as Prashant Tripura, originally comes from Bilaichhari in Bangladesh, he permanently relocated to India in 2020 after marrying and acquiring Indian citizenship. His parents remain Bangladeshi nationals.”
The officer further explained the motive behind the illegal border crossing: “Lal Thakma came to Bangladesh accompanied by his two Indian friends, James and Tarsen, to collect money in Rangamati for medical treatment of his eldest daughter, Sia Riang. This led to their illegal entry into the country.”
The incident has raised concerns about cross-border security in the region, which shares a lengthy and porous boundary with India. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to preventing illegal entries while ensuring that individuals are treated in accordance with legal procedures.