Nine Indian officials from the Rampal Thermal Power Plant, operated by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), abruptly left Bangladesh without prior permission or notice, heightening diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi amid reports of Indian diplomats withdrawing their family members due to escalating security fears.
The incident occurred on Saturday, when plant authorities noticed the absence of the nine senior executives—mostly from India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)—during breakfast.
Upon investigation, it was confirmed that they had quietly exited the facility and crossed into India via the Bhomra land port by midday. Project Director Ramanath Pujari was informed and relayed that the officials cited “security concerns” as their reason for departing suddenly.
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The Rampal plant management expressed deep concern and shock over the unannounced exit, noting that the facility maintains strict four-tier security involving the army, police, Ansar, and other forces. Remarkably, none of the officials had previously raised any complaints or expressed worries about safety to the authorities.
The matter has been urgently reported to the Power Development Board and relevant ministries for immediate review, with officials describing the move as mysterious and disruptive to operations at the joint Indo-Bangla project in Rampal.
The departing officials include GM-level and AGM/DGM executives such as Pratim Barman, Bishwajit Mondal, N. Suraya Proksha Roy, Keshab Palaki, Sureya Kant Mandekar, Surendra Lamba, Pappu Lal Meena, Arniban Saha CF, and Emmanuel Ponraj Devaraj.
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Anwarul Azim, Deputy General Manager (Public Relations) at Rampal, stated: “We discovered they were missing from the dining area in the morning and later learned they had left for India without approval. The issue has been escalated to higher authorities, and the reasons behind this abrupt departure are being seriously investigated.”
This episode unfolds against a backdrop of sharply strained Bangladesh-India relations under the interim government. Bilateral ties have deteriorated significantly since the 2024 changeover, marked by mutual accusations, border frictions, and public rhetoric from Dhaka criticizing perceived Indian interference.
In recent days, India has taken the unprecedented step of designating Bangladesh a “non-family” posting for its diplomats, ordering the withdrawal of all family members and dependents from the High Commission in Dhaka and other missions. Multiple reports confirm this precautionary evacuation stems from heightened security threats, amid rising extremist activities, political unrest, and uncertainties surrounding the February 12, 2026, elections and referendum.
Recent reports say that Indian diplomats and officials are quietly relocating families out of the country over fears of instability or targeted risks, fueling speculation about a further chill in ties.
The Rampal departure—without formal notification despite robust security—has intensified suspicions in some quarters that broader safety apprehensions among Indian personnel in Bangladesh may be at play, potentially signaling deeper mistrust between the two neighbors at this critical juncture. Authorities in both countries have yet to issue joint statements, leaving the incident to add fuel to the already tense diplomatic atmosphere.
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