Agartala, November 6: Tripura Police have arrested 18 people in connection with an attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Ashabari, located in Sepahijala district. One of the 19 people named in the FIR is still at large.
Eight more people were arrested late Thursday night. Police had earlier arrested 10 accused on November 3. A police official said the remaining accused would be apprehended soon and that the investigation was continuing.
The incident allegedly involved suspected smugglers and villagers who attacked BSF personnel while they were on duty in the Ashabari area. Four BSF personnel were injured in the attack.
The incident was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday. The meeting also discussed the state's law and order situation and measures to prevent cross-border smuggling.
Senior officials, including Chief Secretary JK Sinha, in-charge Director General of Police GS Rao, Home Secretary Abhishek Singh and BSF Inspector General Princee Rani, attended the meeting. Representatives of the CRPF and Assam Rifles were also present.
Saha directed officials to take strict legal action against those involved in the attack. He said violence against security personnel performing their duties would not be tolerated.
The Chief Minister also asked the concerned departments to strengthen measures to prevent cross-border smuggling and ensure that those found responsible face action under the law.
