Agartala, Nov 5: Former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar on Thursday demanded an impartial investigation into the November 2 violence in Sonamura subdivision, in which two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were allegedly assaulted, and called for a joint probe by the police and the border guarding force.
Sarkar said the sequence of events leading to the incident should be thoroughly examined and responsibility fixed on the basis of facts and evidence.
According to the account cited by the CPI(M) leader, the incident began with an alleged confrontation between BSF personnel and a person suspected of involvement in illegal cross-border activities.
The individual was reportedly intercepted by security personnel and allegedly assaulted, leaving him injured and triggering resentment among local residents.
The situation subsequently escalated when residents organised a road blockade to protest the alleged assault. During the ensuing tension, two BSF personnel travelling through the area in a separate vehicle were allegedly intercepted and attacked by a group of people.
Sarkar pointed out that the two personnel were reportedly not involved in the earlier confrontation and had no direct connection with the incident that triggered the protest.
Strongly condemning the attack on the BSF personnel, the former chief minister said any grievances against security force personnel should be addressed through appropriate legal and administrative channels.
Resorting to violence and taking the law into one’s own hands could not be justified under any circumstances, he said.
He maintained that if local residents believed that security personnel had committed excesses, they should have approached the police and sought legal intervention instead of resorting to violence.
Sarkar also expressed concern over the subsequent police action and stressed the need for fairness and transparency in the investigation.
Referring to reports that around 10 people, including several women, had been arrested in connection with the violence and remanded to police custody, he called for an impartial examination of all aspects of the incident.
The CPI(M) leader said investigators should establish the exact sequence of events, examine the role of every individual involved and determine whether any violations had occurred.
He stressed that accountability must be ensured on all sides and action should be taken strictly in accordance with the law.
A credible and unbiased investigation was essential to uncover the truth and restore public confidence, Sarkar said.
