Tripura: 3 BSF men, villagers hurt in Ashabari clash in Sepahijala

Three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and several villagers were injured in a clash at Ashabari under Kalamchoura police station in Tripura's Sepahijala district on Monday, The Assam Tribune and Tripurainfo reported. Police said the situation was brought under control and cases have reportedly been filed by both sides.

What villagers allege

According to villagers quoted by The Assam Tribune, BSF personnel detained a local youth, Hefzur Rahman, at about 10 am on suspicion while vegetation was being cleared along a market road near the Ashabari Gram Panchayat area. They allege he was assaulted in custody and suffered a fracture in one leg.

After the alleged assault, residents blocked the Ashabari-Rahimpur road near Natun Bazar, demanding action against the personnel involved.

The clash on the road

A vehicle of the BSF's 49th Battalion, travelling from Rahimpur towards Boxanagar, then reached the blockade. The crowd allegedly attacked the personnel inside with sticks and bamboo.

The injured BSF personnel were identified as Company Commander Rohit, driver Sunil Kumar and Manjit. They were first taken to Boxanagar hospital and later referred to Tripura Medical College in Agartala. Several protesters were also injured, but their names and the extent of their injuries were not immediately known.

Tripurainfo's earlier report described the incident as a confrontation between BSF personnel and alleged smugglers and said a weapon was snatched during the scuffle. The Assam Tribune's account does not mention smuggling or a weapon, and NEInsider has not been able to independently confirm either detail. The sequence of events is now under investigation.

Police and BSF response

Personnel from Kalamchoura police station and the Ashabari BSF border outpost reached the spot as tension rose and restored order. Senior BSF officials visited the area to review the situation, and an inquiry has been started, the reports said.

The border context

Boxanagar and Kalamchoura sit along Tripura's border with Bangladesh in Sepahijala district, where the BSF regularly carries out jungle-clearing and anti-smuggling operations close to the fence.

No official statement from the BSF's Tripura Frontier or Sepahijala police on the allegations had been issued at the time of writing. NEInsider will update this report when one is available.