Could Rohingya-linked militants disrupt Assam polls? Security think tank warns arms procured

The upcoming Assam Assembly elections could face disruption attempts from a possible alliance of militant groups, according to a security think tank. Polling for 126 constituencies is expected in April and will be the first election in the state after the 2023 delimitation exercise.

The warning comes amid claims that insurgent groups operating across India’s Northeast and neighbouring regions may attempt to create disturbances during the electoral period.

Report flags alleged coordination among militant groups

According to a report by The Economic Times, the Centre for North East India Security Studies (CNEISS) has warned about a potential alliance involving several armed groups. These include the United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), the Bangladeshi tribal militant group Parbattya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO).

The report said a meeting involving representatives of these groups was allegedly held in Cox’s Bazar between December 9 and 11, 2025. It was reportedly organised by Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence and Pakistan’s ISI.

CNEISS researcher Swapan Debbarma alleged that weapons are being channelled to insurgent groups in India’s Northeast through Rohingya militant networks and PCJSS representatives operating from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. He also claimed that PCJSS representative Bidhayak Chakma procured 50 sophisticated arms on February 26, 2026 at Cox’s Bazar for transfer aimed at creating disturbances in the region. The report added that the PCJSS (Santu faction) has been supplying rocket fuel sourced from agencies in Chittagong, which could be used to blow up bridges.

Arrests and security concerns

Indian security agencies have previously arrested several alleged PCJSS cadres. Tripura Police and the Border Security Force detained armed cadres, including Samaj Priyo Chakma, with a 9 mm pistol in Agartala on January 21, 2025. Authorities later arrested 13 cadres in Agartala on June 4, 2025, and another suspect, Apollo Chakma, on February 23, 2026.

In a judgment dated September 5, 2024, the Guwahati High Court described PCJSS as a terrorist organisation while hearing a 2013 Mizoram arms seizure case involving 31 AK-47 rifles, a light machine gun, a Browning Automatic Rifle and large quantities of ammunition.

Debbarma also cited political uncertainty surrounding PCJSS leader Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, also known as Santu Larma. The report said Larma has served as chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council for 27 years without elections and faces uncertainty over whether the current Bangladesh National Party government will retain him in power.

Debbarma further alleged that Gautam Kumar Chakma, a senior PCJSS leader and member of the council, recently entered India on a medical visa and summoned arms commanders from the region to Agartala, raising concerns about possible security threats in the Northeast during the Assam Assembly elections.