Author: DHNS
Publication: Deccan Herald
Date: May 21, 2003
URL: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may21/n4.asp
A violent mob from the Indian border
ransacked a Bangladesh village following the kidnap of a Tripura farmer
in Dharmanagar of North Tripura on Monday. It is the first such incident
of cross border attack on Indian parts in Tripura.
The BSF has been put on maximum
alert in the area and security has been intensified along the bordering
villages. Nearly 10 persons were killed and 18 kidnapped in seven consecutive
trans-border crimes in Dharmanagar area in the last two months.
Police sources said that a gang
of Bangladeshi criminals kidnapped one Nirmal Pal while he was working
in a paddy field on Monday. Reportedly, they kidnapped him at gunpoint.
After hearing about the incident,
a violent mob from Indian border crossed into Bangladesh border and ransacked
Chungabari village, two Kms from boundary line.
On condition of anonymity a senior
BSF official told Deccan Herald that at least 20 houses were destroyed
while Indian villagers set ablaze a Muslim dominated area of Chungabari.
They assaulted some villagers believing them to have a close link with
the anti-Indian forces and also involved in the kidnapping of Mr Pal.
Interestingly, both the BSF and
BDR could not resist the cross border movements though they have Border
outposts in the area. Senior police officials rushed to the area last night
and the BSF and the BDR held commandant level flag meeting this morning.
The meeting elaborately discussed
the latest situation and BSF demanded stringent measure to contain cross
border crime and infiltration. BDR assured that action would be taken to
return the kidnapped Indian in due course.
Allegedly, the BDR is helping the
Bangladeshi criminals and tribal militants to intensify the attack on Tripura
villages during the past few months.
