Agartala, December 6:
Two minors from the Putia border area in Sepahijala district were admitted to Bishalgarh Subdivision Hospital on Saturday with multiple injuries allegedly caused by Border Security Force (BSF) firing, a senior health department official said.
According to hospital sources, the children were brought in separately and were later referred to Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital for advanced medical care. Dr. Arijit Sinha, Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) of Bishalgarh, confirmed the incident and said initial findings suggest the injuries were likely the result of BSF firing.
“What has been known so far is that they were most likely hit by BSF firing,” Dr. Sinha said. He added that both minors had sustained multiple impact injuries on their heads and bodies. Preliminary assessment indicates that rubber bullets may have been used, as the injuries showed blunt impact marks without penetration wounds.
The SDMO informed that although the condition of both minors is currently stable, they were shifted to the state’s premier referral hospital due to the severity of their injuries and the need for specialised treatment. “Considering the nature of their wounds, the attending medical officer referred them to AGMC for further care,” he added.
Sources indicated that the children were allegedly engaged in illegal activities along the border when the incident occurred. However, there has been no official statement from the BSF regarding the circumstances of the firing.
Tripura shares an 856-km-long border with Bangladesh, more than 95 percent of which is fenced and guarded by around 18 BSF battalions. Despite enhanced surveillance and a noticeable decline in cross-border crimes in recent years, smuggling, trafficking and other illegal activities continue to pose challenges along the frontier.
Authorities are awaiting further details as the matter is under assessment, and an official response from BSF is still awaited.
