Agartala, November 2: Tension prevailed in the Ashabari village border area of Boxanagar in Tripura’s Sepahijala district on Monday following a violent confrontation between Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and local residents. At least three BSF personnel and several villagers were injured in the incident.
According to local accounts, the incident began around 10 am during a vegetation-clearing operation along a market road near the Ashabari Gram Panchayat area. Villagers alleged that personnel of the BSF’s 49th Battalion detained and assaulted a local youth, Hefzur Rahman, leaving him with a fractured leg.
Angered by the alleged assault, residents blocked the Ashabari-Rahimpur road near Natun Bazar, demanding action and accountability.
The situation escalated when a BSF vehicle carrying Company Commander Rohit, driver Sunil Kumar and a personnel named Manjit reached the blocked road. Preliminary accounts said the crowd surrounded the vehicle. BSF sources, however, alleged that protesters, including suspected smugglers, attacked security personnel, damaged vehicles and attempted to snatch a service weapon from a jawan.
A large police contingent from Kalamchoura Police Station, along with additional BSF personnel, was deployed to bring the situation under control.
Police said the area remained tense but under control. Both villagers and BSF authorities have filed complaints, and a senior-level investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events.
