Three BSF Members Injured in Clash with Locals in Tripura's Sepahijala, Nine Arrested
Three members of India's Border Security Force (BSF) have been injured in a clash with local residents in Sepahijala district of Tripura state. In Ashabari village, near the India-Bangladesh border, angry residents also vandalised a BSF vehicle.
Local police have so far arrested nine people, including three women, over the incident.
Residents allege that on Monday, BSF members detained a local man on suspicion of smuggling and tortured him. He was allegedly beaten without any specific evidence, leaving his leg bone broken and seriously injuring him.
In protest, villagers began a road blockade. As the situation heated up, BSF members including an officer of Assistant Commandant rank arrived at the blockade site by vehicle. The agitated crowd then attacked them with sticks and bamboo.
At least three BSF members were injured in the attack. The crowd vandalised the BSF vehicle and tried to snatch the members' firearms. The injured BSF members were later rescued and quickly admitted to hospital.
Immediately after the incident, police from Kalamchoura station conducted a swift raid and arrested at least nine people, including three women. Police produced them before a court and sought remand.
At least 10 more people involved in the incident have also been identified, and searches are under way to arrest them. To keep the situation under control and monitor security, senior police officials including BSF Tripura Frontier IG Princey Rani visited the spot. The local administration said the situation in Ashabari village is now under control.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions in the state's political circles as well. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha strongly condemned the attack on security forces on social media, saying such violence against the country's security personnel is in no way acceptable and that police have been instructed to take strict legal action against those responsible.
Opposition leader and CPI(M) leader Jitendra Chowdhury, on the other hand, strongly criticised the attack, but claimed that people involved in illegal smuggling in the border area were showing such audacity under the shelter of the local ruling party. Police are investigating the incident based on complaints from both sides.
