Serious Questions Arise After ED Discovers Extensive Surveillance Network at Sonamura Border Residence

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 10, 2026

The Enforcement Directorate's revelation that more than 25 CCTV cameras were installed on trees and strategically positioned along forest stretches near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Sonamura has raised disturbing questions about the effectiveness of local policing and intelligence gathering in the area.

According to the sources, the cameras were discovered during raids conducted on June 8 at the residences of two Sonamura residents allegedly linked to a massive cross-border drug trafficking and money laundering network involving proceeds estimated at over Rs.142 crore. The cameras were reportedly mounted on trees overlooking border routes and forest corridors, providing continuous surveillance of movement in the area.

The discovery has sparked public concern and prompted a fundamental question: How could such an extensive surveillance system operate for years without attracting the attention of the local police station or other law enforcement agencies like BSF?

The CCTV cameras were not hidden inside buildings or private compounds. According to the local findings, they were installed on trees across forested areas near the international border. Such installations would likely require regular maintenance, power arrangements, and monitoring.

Security experts point out that the deployment of more than 25 cameras across a sensitive border zone suggests a highly organized operation designed to monitor movements of security personnel, border guards, and potential rivals involved in illegal activities.

If the cameras were indeed functioning over an extended period, questions naturally arise regarding whether local authorities conducted adequate patrols and surveillance in the area.

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