Nine Indian officials stationed at the Rampal Coal-Fired Power Plant in Bagerhat have reportedly left Bangladesh without prior approval, sparking serious questions about security protocols and operational oversight at the high-profile facility.
The officials, all from India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), include senior-level personnel such as General Managers, Deputy General Managers, Assistant General Managers, and the Chief Financial Officer.
Their sudden departure was first noticed during breakfast, prompting immediate inquiries that revealed they had left the country without notifying plant authorities.
Project Director Ramanath Pujari said the officials cited “security concerns” for leaving, but their exit has raised alarms given the plant’s strict four-tier security system, which includes military, police, and Ansar personnel.
Sources noted that the officials had never previously reported any threats or safety issues, making their sudden departure highly unusual.
Anwarul Azim, Deputy General Manager (Public Relations), confirmed: “The officials left for India without prior permission. The matter has been escalated to higher authorities, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding their departure.”
Security implications
Analysts and plant insiders are questioning how nine senior officials could exit a strategically sensitive facility undetected within a secure perimeter. The Rampal Power Plant, part of the 30-year coal-fired energy project near the Sundarbans, is considered critical infrastructure, making any unexplained personnel movements a potential security risk.
Concerns now focus on whether the departure reflects:
Gaps in internal security protocols
Possible threats that went unreported
Operational lapses in monitoring personnel movements
Experts say that given the geopolitical significance of the facility and its proximity to the Sundarbans ecologically sensitive zone, such an incident could prompt heightened scrutiny from both Bangladesh and Indian authorities, as well as a review of security procedures for foreign staff at the plant.
Officials have stressed that a full investigation is underway, and authorities are examining all angles, including security, operational accountability, and adherence to protocol.