GUWAHATI: Nine people, including three women, were arrested by Tripura police for allegedly attacking Border Security Force (BSF) troopers in the state’s Sepahijala district.
Three personnel, including an assistant commandant who is a local company commander, were injured when a mob of men and women attacked them with sticks. The mob also allegedly attempted to snatch their firearms and damaged a vehicle of the force.
The incident occurred on Monday at Ashabari village near the India-Bangladesh border during a road blockade which villagers enforced, protesting the alleged assault on a local resident by the BSF.
Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Sepahijala district Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma said BSF personnel on duty had noticed smuggling activities on the border.
“When the BSF personnel challenged the smugglers, the latter attacked them by pelting stones. A scuffle ensued with one of the smugglers, following which the personnel recovered packets of ganja from the spot,” the SP said.
“Soon afterwards, those who managed to flee mobilised villagers and enforced a road blockade. On hearing about the blockade, the BSF’s local company commander was travelling through the area along with a BSF constable and the driver when they came under the attack,” the SP further said.
Later, the police brought the situation under control.
Chief Minister Manik Saha condemned the “brutal” assault on the BSF personnel “by a group of miscreants.” He said such acts of violence against security forces were completely unacceptable and deserved unequivocal condemnation.
“Any attack on our security personnel is a matter of grave concern and must be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law. Our security personnel deserve the utmost respect and protection,” the chief minister posted on X.
He stated that concerned authorities had been directed to take swift and stringent action against those responsible and ensure that justice was delivered. He further said that every individual involved in the attack would be brought to justice.
Leader of Opposition and senior CPI-M leader Jitendra Chaudhury also condemned the attack.
“It is a painful incident. The BSF personnel, who are from different parts of India, are in Tripura to protect our border. We can sleep peacefully at night because they remain awake, guarding the border,” Chaudhury said.
The villagers alleged that the BSF personnel had assaulted an innocent youth while chasing a few smugglers. But Choudhury maintained that this did not justify the “brutal assault” on the personnel.
