Belonia: A young man was allegedly shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on the Indo-Bangladesh border in South Tripura on suspicion of cattle smuggling on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Jasim Miah, was allegedly shot dead by BSF after a heated altercation broke out between the two and the later reportedly fired in a fit of rage.
The incident happened when Jasim's father Khaled Miah was reportedly thrashed up by BSF jawans when he went to the nearby fields with his cattle for grazing.
"Hearing the noise, Jashim rushed out to inquire why I was beaten up. An altercation broke out between my son and troops and they fired," father of the deceased said.
BSF troops also created hurdles when my son was taken to the hospital. However, later on, with the help of nearby villagers, Jashim was rushed to Belonia hospital but he succumbed to injuries," his father said.
Family members of the victim and locals staged a road blockade which was later removed by police after convincing them.
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The BSF issued a statement on the matter, saying that troops fired to resist cattle smuggling on the border.
"On 01st Feb 2021 at about 1055 hrs, BSF party performing OP duties on the International Border in area of responsibility of Border Outpost Bir Singh under PS- Belonia, Sub-Division Belonia, District Tripura South observed 07/08 trans-border miscreants trying to damage the IBB Fence with an ill intention to smuggle cattle to Bangladesh," BSF said.
"When the troops on duty tried to resist such unlawful act, the miscreants adopted aggressive posture and physically attacked the BSF party using “Dah” & “Lathis”, which resulted in serious injuries to one of the BSF Jawans. Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered at the spot encircling the BSF party. Sensing imminent danger to life and property, BSF party resorted to fire of 01 shot by Non-lethal Weapon i.e. Pump Action Gun (PAG) in self-defense, resultantly all miscreants fled away from the spot and reportedly one miscreant namely Jasim Miah S/o Khalek Miah R/o Village– Debipur, PS – Hrishyamuk, Distt –Tripura South sustained pellet injury. Further learnt that the injured miscreant was evacuated to PHC Hrishyamukh and further referred to Sub Divisional Hospital Belonia, where the Doctor declared him dead. FIR of the incident has been lodged in the Police Station and BSF has ordered a departmental inquiry to investigate into the matter," it said.
