Tripura Police Arrest 8 After Attack on BSF Personnel in Sepahijala; Case Registered Against 19
The arrests follow a clash at Ashabari near the India-Bangladesh border, where BSF personnel were allegedly attacked during a confrontation over the detention of a local youth suspected of smuggling.
AGARTALA— Tripura Police have arrested eight people and registered a case against 19 individuals in connection with Monday’s clash between Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and villagers at Ashabari in Sepahijala district. The arrests followed a swift overnight operation, with the accused to be produced in court.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that eight accused persons had been taken into custody over the assault on BSF personnel at Ashabari, Boxanagar. “All those involved will be brought to justice, and strict legal action will be taken against them in accordance with the law. Violence against our security personnel will not be tolerated,” he said in a social media post. He directed the police to act firmly against those responsible.
Police sources said the case was registered at Kalamchoura police station under relevant sections covering assault, attempt to murder, vandalism of a government vehicle, obstruction of public servants, and related offences. Some reports indicated that nine people, including three women, were among those detained in the operation. The arrested individuals were shown to the media with faces covered.
Also Read- Tripura: Three BSF Personnel, Several Villagers Injured in Clash Over Alleged Assault on Local Youth
Sonamura Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Abhijit Das and Sepahijala Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma stated that senior officers, including the Additional Superintendent of Police, visited the spot, reviewed the situation, and launched an investigation.
SP Debbarma described the attack on security personnel as “absolutely shameful,” confirmed that a case had been registered, and noted that the overnight operation resulted in the arrests. He added that the injured BSF personnel were hospitalised and that further legal steps were underway. The situation in the area has since returned to normal.
Background: Monday’s clash
The violence erupted on November 2 near Ashabari Gram Panchayat under Kalamchoura police station (Sonamura subdivision/Boxanagar area) along the India-Bangladesh border. BSF personnel of the 49th Battalion detained a local youth, identified as Hefzur Rahman (son of Shahajan Miah), on suspicion of involvement in smuggling during vegetation-clearing or anti-smuggling operations. Villagers alleged he was assaulted in custody and suffered a leg fracture, prompting a road blockade on the Ashabari-Rahimpur/Boxanagar-Rahimpur road by residents, including many women.
When a BSF vehicle (registration TR-01-AL-1051) carrying Assistant Commandant/Company Commander Rohit Kumar, driver Sunil Kumar, and personnel Manjit arrived, the crowd allegedly attacked the occupants with sticks, bamboo poles, stones, and other objects. The vehicle was vandalised, and there were attempts to snatch a service weapon (later recovered). Three BSF personnel, including the officer, and at least one local resident were injured. The injured were treated first at Boxanagar hospital and later referred to facilities in Agartala.
BSF accounts and the FIR described the attack as linked to disruption of cross-border smuggling activities. Cases were filed by both sides. Senior BSF and police officials intervened to restore order. Investigations into the full sequence of events and remaining accused continue.
