Tribal killing in Tripura: BSF gives clean chit to soldiers in initial report to MHA
After three tribals were killed in BSF firing last week, the security force has given two of its troopers a clean chit.
In Short
- 3 tribals were killed, and 2 others injured in BSF firing in South Tripura last week.
- The two troopers given a clean chit will remain with the BSF.
- However, they'll be available to Tripura police for questioning.
In an initial report to the Union Home Ministry on the killing of tribals in firing by its troopers, the Border Security Force (BSF) has given a clean chit to an Assistant Sub-Inspector and a constable who fired five rounds from their weapons.
Three tribals - including one woman - were killed, and two others injured in BSF firing in southern Tripura's Chittabari village along the India-Bangladesh border on March 17.
The dead have been identified as Suralakshmi Tripura (31), Min Kumar Tripura (35) and Pran Kumar Tripura (37).
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed concern over the killing, and asked BSF Director General KK Sharma to submit a report.
Sharma reportedly submitted the document to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.
REPORT DETAILS
In its report, the BSF said the two troopers came under attack from tribals smuggling cattle, while trying to stop them.
While villagers said violence erupted after the troopers harassed women, the BSF has rejected the allegations outright in its report.
In fact, it said the cattle smugglers were using the women as shields.
The troopers were forced to open fire as a last resort, after they were surrounded by a group of 30.
In the chaos that ensured during the firing, only 20 of the 40 cattle being smuggled could be recovered.
The BSF has said that though Tripura is not known for cattle-smuggling, there have been some incidents.
WHAT LOCAL REPORTS SAID
A section of local reports said some BSF jawans allegedly outraged the modesty of a woman daily wage labourer working in a rubber garden.
This led to a commotion between local villagers who turned up at the spot, after hearing the woman shout for help.
The BSF Deputy Inspector General, however, has denied any such incident.
TROOPERS TO STAY WITH BSF
The Assistant Sub-Inspector who was given a clean chit, has served the BSF for 25 years, and has an impeccable reputation, according to his official record.
The constable has served for five years, and no complaints have been made against him either.
The two men will remain with the BSF, but they'll be available to Tripura police for questioning.
COURT OF INQUIRY ORDERED
"A court of inquiry has been ordered by the BSF into the incident. Senior BSF officials outside the Udaipur (southern Tripura) sector would conduct the court of inquiry," BSF Deputy Inspector General Hardeep Singh said.
"Appropriate administrative actions have been initiated to prevent recurrence of such incident(s) in future," he added.
ALSO WATCH | After BSF, now a CRPF jawan's video surfaces on social media