A court in Tripura’s Sepahijala district remanded seven men to four days of police custody and three women to 10 days of judicial custody following an alleged mob attack on BSF personnel at Ashabari along the India-Bangladesh border.
A court in Tripura’s Sepahijala district on Tuesday remanded 10 people, including three women, arrested in connection with the alleged attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Ashabari along the India-Bangladesh international border. The court sent seven male accused to four days of police custody, while the three women were remanded to judicial custody for 10 days, officials said.
According to a police official, all 10 accused were produced before the Special NDPS Court in Sepahijala district for further legal proceedings. Police custody of the seven male accused was sought to facilitate interrogation and investigation into the incident, while the three women were sent to jail custody.
The incident occurred on Monday near the international border at Ashabari, under the jurisdiction of Kalamchaura Police Station in Sepahijala district. Three BSF personnel, including a Company Commander, sustained serious injuries after a group of men and women allegedly attacked them with sticks and bamboo.
According to police sources, BSF personnel noticed some Indian and Bangladeshi smugglers allegedly involved in illegal cross-border activities near the international border. The security personnel immediately rushed to the location and apprehended an Indian suspected smuggler. However, the Bangladeshi individuals, who were reportedly operating from the other side of the border fence, managed to flee.
The Indian suspect also allegedly escaped from the spot and informed villagers that BSF personnel had assaulted him. Following this, around 50 men and women reportedly gathered near the location, surrounded the BSF vehicle and attacked the personnel with sticks and other objects.
The assault left three BSF personnel, including the Company Commander, grievously injured. They were subsequently shifted to a government hospital for medical treatment.
During the incident, the attackers allegedly attempted to snatch a Pump Action Gun (PAG) rifle from one of the BSF personnel. The weapon was reportedly taken away during the confrontation. The mob also allegedly damaged a BSF vehicle. One of the attackers sustained injuries during the incident as well.
Senior BSF and police officials rushed to the spot and took steps to bring the situation under control. However, tension continued in the border area following the confrontation. According to officials, members of the mob also allegedly attempted to obstruct the movement of security personnel and civilian vehicles by cutting down trees and blocking the road.
Police subsequently launched an intensive search operation on Monday night to identify and apprehend those involved in the attack. Ten people have been arrested so far, while the investigation and search for other suspected participants remain underway.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, strongly condemned the attack and assured that those responsible would face strict legal action.
In a statement shared through his official X account, the Chief Minister said that eight accused persons had initially been arrested in connection with the assault at Ashabari in the Boxanagar area. He stated that all those involved would be brought to justice and that violence against security personnel would not be tolerated.
In another statement, Saha described the incident as a brutal assault on BSF personnel and said such attacks on security forces were completely unacceptable. He directed the concerned authorities to take swift and stringent action against those responsible and ensure that justice was delivered.
Leader of the Opposition and senior CPI(M) leader Jitendra Chaudhury also condemned the attack on BSF personnel. However, he criticised the state government over what he described as inadequate action against cross-border smuggling activities.
Speaking to the media, Chaudhury alleged that certain ruling party workers were involved in illegal cross-border trade and accused the authorities of remaining silent despite the alleged activities. These allegations have not been independently established.
The incident has once again brought attention to security challenges along the India-Bangladesh international border in Tripura. The state shares an international boundary of approximately 856 kilometres with Bangladesh and is surrounded by the neighbouring country on three sides.
The strategically sensitive border has long faced challenges involving illegal cross-border movement, smuggling and other transnational criminal activities. Most stretches of the international boundary have been fenced, although some areas remain vulnerable.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the BSF reiterated its commitment to protecting the India-Bangladesh border and preventing cross-border smuggling and other unlawful activities.
The force said that acts of violence and intimidation would not discourage its personnel from performing their official responsibilities. It also highlighted that despite being assaulted, the BSF personnel exercised restraint and refrained from using lethal force, demonstrating their commitment to protecting human life while carrying out their duties.
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The BSF further emphasised the importance of maintaining mutual trust and cooperation with people living in border areas. It appealed to local residents to cooperate in maintaining peace, public order and security, while warning that attempts to intimidate or obstruct personnel performing lawful duties would be dealt with firmly.
The investigation into the Ashabari incident is continuing, with police pursuing further action against those allegedly involved in the attack.
