Tripura Police suspects intensified anti-smuggling operations along the India-Bangladesh border to be trigger behind the recent assault by a group of people on a Border Security Force (BSF) team in the Ashabari area of the State.
Police have arrested 21 people, including two key suspects, for their alleged involvement in the attack. A detailed investigation is underway.
The action comes after Tripura Chief Minister manik Saha directed the authorities to take strict action against the perpetrators of the attack.
Sepahijala Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma on Sunday said joint teams of the police, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and BSF have destroyed at least 1.5 crore ganja plants in the Sonamura subdivision over the past year, causing an estimated loss of Rs 1,000 crore to illegal operators.
Security agencies have also seized smuggled goods worth several crores of rupees during the period, he said, adding that intensified enforcement activities have angered those involved in illegal trade.
Debbarma said BSF personnel intercepted an alleged smuggling attempt along the international border in Ashabari on November 2, following which the force came under attack. Three personnel, including an assistant commandant, were injured in the incident.
The SP attributed the attack to losses suffered by smuggling syndicates due to the ongoing crackdown.
Sepahijala district shares around 99 km of international boundary with Bangladesh, nearly 99 per cent of which is fenced.
“However, smugglers continue to use different methods to transport cattle, clothes, medicines, essential commodities and contraband across the border,” the police officer said.
He also said around 300 families continue to live outside the barbed-wire fencing along the international boundary.
