Tensions gripped the India-Bangladesh border in Unakoti district on Monday following a violent clash between farmers from villages on either side of the border. The confrontation, which occurred in the Hirachhara border village under Kailashahar Sub-division on Sunday evening, left three individuals injured, officials said.
The altercation broke out over disputes regarding farming activities in croplands near the international boundary. According to officials, two Indian farmers and one Bangladeshi cultivator sustained injuries before Border Security Force (BSF) troops intervened to defuse the situation.
Local reports revealed that Indian brothers Karim Ali (28) and Zamir Ali (34), who cultivate betel leaves and paddy near the zero line, were brutally assaulted by a group of 10-12 individuals from Murui Chhara in Bangladesh’s Moulvibazar district. The assailants allegedly used sharp weapons and iron rods, leaving Karim with severe injuries to his left hand and back, and Zamir with critical head wounds. Doctors at the Unakoti District Hospital have indicated that Karim may require amputation of one of his fingers due to the injuries.
The attack reportedly occurred when the brothers, after discovering significant damage to their crops, informed BSF personnel stationed in the area. However, as they returned home in the evening, they were threatened and subsequently attacked. The incident, which took place within Indian territory, has sparked safety concerns among border villagers.
In response to the violence, additional BSF troops have been deployed in the region to maintain peace and prevent further escalations.
This is the second reported incident of violence in the area within a month. On January 7, Bangladeshi nationals allegedly attacked BSF personnel at the Maguruli border and attempted to seize their firearms, further straining relations in the border region.
The issue of border security has also been linked to infrastructure concerns. Tripura Chief Minister recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the construction of a large embankment by Bangladesh along the border. The Chief Minister, in a formal letter, expressed concerns over the embankment’s potential to cause flooding in Indian villages, particularly in Unakoti district.
Amid growing unease, the opposition Congress staged a demonstration on Saturday, protesting Bangladesh’s unilateral embankment construction. Senior Congress leader Birajit Sinha warned that the embankment could endanger the district town of Kailashahar and nearby villages during the monsoon season.
