A road blockade over the alleged assault of a local youth by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel turned violent at Ashabari in Tripura’s Sepahijala district on Monday, leaving three BSF personnel, including an officer, and a civilian injured.
The incident occurred in the border areas under Kalamchowra police station following a protest by local residents who alleged that a youth, identified as Hefzur Rahman, son of Shahajan Miah, was detained and assaulted by BSF personnel while he was clearing vegetation near Natun Bazar close to Ashabari Gram Panchayat.
According to villagers, Hefzur suffered a leg fracture during the alleged assault, following which angry residents gathered in large numbers and blocked the Ashabari-Rahimpur road, demanding action against those responsible.
The situation escalated when a BSF vehicle from the 49th Battalion, travelling from Rahimpur towards Boxanagar, reached the protest site. The vehicle, a Bolero bearing registration number TR-01-AL-1051, was reportedly carrying Company Commander Rohit, driver Sunil Kumar and another jawan, Manjit.
As tensions rose, a heated confrontation broke out between the BSF personnel and protesters. The crowd allegedly attacked the BSF vehicle and its occupants with bamboo poles and sticks, injuring all three personnel. Reports also stated that protesters chased the BSF personnel when they attempted to move away from the area.
Police said that three BSF personnel and the local youth sustained injuries in the clash. The injured BSF personnel and Hefzur Rahman were initially taken to Boxanagar Hospital and later shifted to Tripura Medical College and Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial (BRAM) Hospital at Hapania for further treatment.
Following the incident, personnel from Kalamchowra police station, BSF’s Ashabari Border Outpost, armed police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) were deployed in the area to bring the situation under control. The security deployment helped restore normalcy, though tension remained in the locality.
Both sides have reportedly filed separate complaints at Kalamchowra police station, and police have started an investigation. No arrests have been made so far.
Senior BSF officials also visited the area to assess the situation and examine the circumstances that led to the confrontation. The BSF has not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
The clash marks the second such incident in the past year in Tripura where BSF personnel have faced attacks. Earlier, four BSF jawans and an officer were injured after their vehicle was allegedly attacked at Bishalgarh market in Sepahijala district.