Reported by: Mrinal Banik
Agartala: Three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and several villagers sustained injuries in a confrontation at Ashabari in Tripura’s Sepahijala district on Monday after allegations surfaced that a local youth had been assaulted by the border force.
The trouble began around 10 am when BSF personnel allegedly detained Hefzur Rahman, son of Shahajan Mia, near Ashabari Gram Panchayat during a vegetation-clearing operation along the New Bazar road.
Villagers claimed the personnel suspected him of involvement in an unspecified activity and assaulted him while he was in their custody, leaving him with a fractured leg.
The alleged assault sparked protests in the area, with villagers blocking the Ashabari-Rahimpur road near Natun Bazar. They demanded action against the BSF personnel allegedly involved in the incident.
The situation deteriorated when a vehicle belonging to the BSF’s 49th Battalion, travelling from Rahimpur towards Boxanagar, reached the protest site.
The four-wheeler, bearing registration number TR-01-AL-1051, was carrying Company Commander Rohit, driver Sunil Kumar and another BSF personnel, Manjit.
According to reports, protesters armed with sticks and bamboo attacked the vehicle’s occupants, injuring all three personnel. The circumstances leading to the attack remain unclear.
Personnel from the Ashabari BSF Border Outpost and police from Kalamchoura police station subsequently reached the spot and intervened to bring the situation under control.
The injured BSF personnel were first taken to Boxanagar Hospital and later referred to Tripura Medical College in Agartala for further treatment. They reportedly suffered injuries to different parts of their bodies.
Police cases have reportedly been registered following complaints from both sides. Senior BSF officials also visited the area to assess the situation, while an investigation was initiated into the sequence of events.
The confrontation has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding Rahman’s detention and the subsequent violence involving the BSF personnel and protesters.
The allegations against the force and the attack on its personnel are yet to be independently established.