Tripura, 2 April 2025: After remaining in hiding for nearly eight months, a Bangladeshi national was finally apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) while attempting to return to Assam’s Patharkandi. The accused, identified as Sheikh Mohammad Rukhn Mia (40), hails from Gaurishankar Poshainagar village under Kulaura police station in Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh.
Illegally Crossed Border, Lived in Assam for Months
According to sources, Rukhn Mia illegally entered India in August last year amid the political turmoil in Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government. A known party worker, he fled the country and crossed into North Tripura through an unidentified border point. Since then, he had been staying in Patharkandi, Assam, before arriving in Dharmanagar in search of work.
Failing to secure employment, he attempted to return to Assam but was nabbed by BSF jawans from the Dharmanagar Inter-State Bus Terminal, acting on a confidential tip-off. Following his detention, troops of the 97th Battalion’s E-Company handed him over to Kadamtala police station on Tuesday.
Case Registered, Two More Suspects Detained
Kadamtala police have registered a case against the accused under Sections 23/25 & 143(2) of the BNS Act, 2023, and Section 3/12(1) of the Passport Act, 1967. He will be produced in court on Wednesday.
During interrogation, Rukhn Mia revealed he had paid ₹35,000 to cross into India but gave conflicting statements about the exact entry point sometimes mentioning Ragna, other times Brajendranagar border. Given these inconsistencies, police have detained two more individuals on suspicion of involvement in human trafficking.
Delayed Police Handover Raises Questions
Sources claim that multiple police stations initially refused to take custody of the accused, leading to delays in legal proceedings. After much back-and-forth, Kadamtala police finally took charge of the case.
Meanwhile, allegations are surfacing that the police are deliberately avoiding registering certain cases, especially related to theft, robbery, and illegal activities. This has sparked discussions among intellectuals and locals, questioning whether it’s a strategic move to downplay crime statistics or an attempt to shield certain elements.
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