KAILASAHAR, July 12 (TIWN): Open firing by BSF-110 battalion on Friday late night triggered resentment among villagers along India-Bangladesh border fencing area at Kalerkandi under kailasahar Sub-division.

According to the sources it was reported that at around 9.30 PM Indian 110-Bn BSF suspected that some smugglers were trying to infiltrate to India from Bangladesh and were smuggling Bidi across the border.

Suspecting the smugglers in the border area while patrolling, the BSF members thronged into the border area with the aim of nabbing the smugglers.

Misinterpreting the initiative of the BSF Jawans, the women of the areas came out of their houses along with the sharp weapons in the border area and involved into minor scuffle with the BSF Jawans in allegation of either torturing the villagers day after day ahead of EID celebration in that area. However, in self-defense the BSF did lathi charge on the villagers and later failing to control the situation the BSF did 2 rounds of open firing.

Further in a clash between the jawans of BSF 110 battalion and villagers, 5 people were left seriously injured.  The victims are identified as Abdul Rahim, kalim Uddin, Taher Mia, Saina Begum, and Salema Begum. However, all the victims are under-going treatment in Kailasahar RGM hospital.

Taking the advantage of clash between the BSF Jawans and the villagers the smugglers managed to flee through the border area leaving the BSF Jawans in darkness.

Following the clash, on Saturday morning the villagers lodged FIR against the BSF Jawans with Hirani Police station alleging that the Jawans have either ransacked or disconnected the electricity connection of the several house of the villager and has mentally harassed the villages ahead of EID on Friday late night.

Interestingly, the BSF Jawans have also lodged a counter complaint against the villagers that they have interrupted the peace of the area and has not co-operated with the Jawans.       

However, talking to TIWN correspondent on Saturday SP Jolsingh Mina under Unakoti sub-division said that the border area is now under strict observations by BSF Jawans, at the International Pillar bearing No. 1859/60. It was totally dark when the incident took place at night 9.30 pm, thus many information are yet to be collected for follow-up investigations by authorities of India and Bangladesh.

SDPO Sudipta Das further said that TSR is also deployed in the border area to maintain peace and security of the area. However, SP Jolsingh Mina and SDPO Sudipta Das had visited the spot and is further investigating the case.

Further DIG D.K Sharma is also supposed to visit the spot later in the day.