In a distressing turn of events, a Shyamoli Paribahan bus traveling from Tripura to Kolkata came under attack near Bishwa Road in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh. The bus, carrying 28 passengers — 17 Indian and 11 Bangladeshi nationals — was deliberately targeted, leaving passengers, including women and children, terrified.
The incident unfolded when a goods-laden truck attempted to overtake the bus near Ashuganj, about 31 kilometers from the Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post. Simultaneously, the bus collided with an auto-rickshaw, leading to a heated commotion among local residents. Witnesses reported that the truck’s overtaking maneuver appeared intentional, escalating tensions in the area.
As tempers flared, local residents surrounded the bus and directed anti-India slogans, derogatory remarks, and threats toward the Indian passengers. The tense situation was eventually diffused after the bus driver and his assistant negotiated a settlement by paying damages to the auto-rickshaw driver. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or the auto-rickshaw occupants.
Tripura’s Transport and Tourism Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, strongly condemned the incident. In a social media post, he described the situation as deeply concerning and urged Bangladeshi authorities to intervene and ensure the safety of Indian travelers. He called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and maintain the sanctity of cross-border transport services.
This incident has raised alarm among regular travelers and officials overseeing the cross-border bus services, which have been a symbol of bilateral cooperation since their inception. The Agartala-Dhaka bus service began in 2003, with the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route launching in 2015. These services were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and resumed in June 2022. However, the bus operations have been irregular due to recent unrest in Bangladesh.
As the investigation unfolds, Indian passengers have voiced concerns over their safety during future travels, urging authorities from both nations to strengthen security measures and restore confidence in the cross-border transit system.
