Nine accused still at large after attack on BSF personnel in Tripura; border vigil stepped up

Nine accused in the attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Tripura are yet to be caught by police. Police fear the accused may cross the India-Bangladesh international border into Bangladesh to evade arrest. Tripura Police have therefore asked the BSF to maintain special vigil on the border.

According to senior police officers, the FIR filed by the BSF names 19 attackers. Ten people, including three women, have been arrested so far. Search operations and raids are continuing to catch the remaining nine.

The attack took place on Monday night. Police began the search immediately afterwards and it is still on. Given the fear that the accused may flee to Bangladesh, close watch has been ordered on the international border. Special precautions are being taken to ensure there is no unlawful activity.

On Tuesday, Prinsy Rani, Inspector General of BSF Tripura Frontier, and Bijoy Debbarma, Superintendent of Police of Sepahijala district, visited the Ashabari area on the India-Bangladesh border along with other officers. The Inspector General asked the personnel to follow all standard procedures for border security with greater vigilance. She also met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and briefed him on the incident.

According to police, on Monday BSF personnel saw some Indian and Bangladeshi smugglers trafficking ganja across the international border. The personnel reached the spot immediately and caught one Indian smuggler. But the Bangladeshi smugglers on the other side of the barbed-wire fence escaped.

Another Indian smuggler also fled at the same time. He is alleged to have spread a rumour that BSF personnel had beaten him, thereby provoking villagers. About 50 women and men then gathered at the spot. They surrounded the BSF vehicle and attacked the personnel.

Three BSF personnel, including a company commander, were seriously injured in the attack. They were admitted to a government hospital for treatment. The attackers are also alleged to have snatched a pump-action gun from one of the personnel and damaged the BSF vehicle. One attacker was also injured in the incident.

Tension persisted in the area on Wednesday. To maintain law and order, the BSF, Tripura State Rifles and police held a joint flag march. Security arrangements were also reviewed and special patrols were mounted.

The BSF has issued a statement saying the force is committed to guarding the India-Bangladesh border, preventing smuggling and curbing unlawful activities. Local people have been urged to cooperate in maintaining peace and law and order. The BSF has also warned of strict action if anyone tries to threaten personnel on duty or obstruct their work. The force said the personnel showed restraint despite the attack and did not use lethal weapons.

Smugglers have attacked security personnel in Tripura before. On October 16, 2017, a smugglers' vehicle ran over Deepak Kumar Mandal, Deputy Commandant of the BSF's 145th Battalion. Seriously injured, Mandal died on October 20. Similarly, on November 21, 2019, Tripura Police Sub-Inspector Durga Kumar Hrangkhawl was killed on duty when alleged smugglers rammed him with a vehicle.

Tripura's international border with Bangladesh is 856 kilometres long. With Bangladesh on three sides of the state, the area is considered sensitive for infiltration, smuggling and cross-border crime. Most border stretches have therefore been fenced.