27/10/2025
Attempt to Smuggle Arms and Ammunition Through Dhalai-Gomati Route in Tripura – Police Search JSS (Santu) Commanders’ Vehicle
Dhalai & Gomati Districts, Tripura। Monday, October 27, 2025
A large-scale arms and ammunition smuggling attempt through the Dhalai and Gomati border routes of Tripura has come under investigation following intelligence inputs and local sources’ reports. According to security officials, two armed commanders of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu group) - Assistant Field Commander Jyotishman Chakma alias Bulbul or Romel and Armed Commander Samaj Priya Chakma alias Priyo - are suspected of involvement in the smuggling network.
Acting on the intelligence, Tripura Police have detained and searched a private vehicle belonging to the two JSS (Santu) leaders.
Sources revealed that in recent days, several high-end vehicles - including one bearing registration number TR01 BU0379 - were seen frequently traveling along the Dhalai-Gomati route. These vehicles are suspected to be used for transporting arms and ammunition destined for armed operatives of the JSS (Santu) faction inside Bangladesh. Local intelligence agencies suspect that these vehicles are part of an organized smuggling chain.
Earlier, Samaj Priya Chakma was arrested in Agartala city for his involvement in arms trafficking. Sources added that he had previously faced six criminal cases, including charges of arms possession, illegal foreign currency, and human trafficking.
Meanwhile, Jyotishman Chakma alias Bulbul or Romel, reportedly known as the granddaughter of PCJSS leader Santu Larma, has allegedly been transporting arms, ammunition, and drugs to JSS armed members using several luxury vehicles. Based on such information, Tripura Police conducted intensive checks at multiple naka points along the suspected routes and seized their vehicle for inspection.
Notably, in April 2024, Samaj Priya Chakma was arrested by Tripura Police with Bangladeshi currency and a pistol in his possession. He was later released on bail but allegedly violated bail conditions and re-entered Bangladesh, where he rejoined the JSS armed faction and resumed involvement in arms and ammunition smuggling.
Security sources further informed that PCJSS (Santu Larma group) has long been involved in arms, ammunition, and narcotics trafficking through India’s northeastern region into Bangladesh. Intelligence agencies have alleged that Santu Larma receives substantial financial support from Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI.
It is also noteworthy that the Guwahati High Court has officially declared the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) a “terrorist organization.” In its 69-page landmark verdict (Criminal Appeal No. 1/2019, National Investigation Agency vs. Rohmingliana, judgment delivered on September 5, 2024), the court observed that the Bangladesh-based group is directly linked with arms and ammunition smuggling.
According to the judgment, on March 7, 2013, Assam Rifles recovered a large cache of weapons from four individuals -Moni Tripura, Robi Chakma, Sobuj Chakma, and a Mizo national - near the Chittagong border area.
The recovered arms included 31 AK-47 rifles, one LMG, one Browning automatic rifle, and hundreds of live rounds and ammunition.
In paragraph 18 of the judgment, the High Court explicitly stated: “The arms were alleged to belong to a terrorist group of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) in Bangladesh.
The word “terrorist” was used at least ten times in the verdict to describe the organization.
Currently, strict surveillance has been imposed along the Tripura-Bangladesh border to prevent further arms smuggling activities.