A joint search operation took place at Rahimpur Market involving Tripura Police, the Border Security Force (BSF), Customs officials, and the Sonamura Sub-Divisional Administration following an assault on BSF personnel at Ashabari.
Officials recovered a large quantity of firecrackers, biscuits, and various other goods during the operation. Sources indicated that the locks and shutters of eight shops were broken during the search, which caused tension in the Rahimpur Market area. The operation remains ongoing, with further details pending regarding the volume of goods seized and the overall results.
Separately, eight additional individuals were sent to judicial custody for eight days by a court on November 5 in connection with the alleged assault on BSF personnel and the snatching of a service weapon at Boxanagar. The eight accused were arrested by the Kalamchoura Police Station on the evening of November 4 and produced before the Sepahijala District and Sessions Court the following day, raising the total number of arrests in the case to 18.
Earlier, on November 3, ten people, including seven men and three women, were arrested in relation to the incident.
Public Prosecutor Gautam Gir stated that the court had granted the police's request for custody, expressing confidence that further investigation would clarify the sequence of events and ensure those responsible were held accountable.
Tripura Police Inspector General (Law and Order) Ipper Manchak told ANI that police responded promptly to the November 2 incident, which involved locals assaulting and misbehaving with BSF staff at the Ashabari Border Outpost.
“On the 2nd of this month, some local people misbehaved with and assaulted the BSF staff of the Ashabari BOP. Taking cognizance of the incident, the police took immediate action. On the first day, 10 people were arrested — comprising three women and seven men — and yesterday, eight more people were arrested, bringing the total number of arrests so far to 18. Including those named in the FIR and their accomplices, we are scrutinizing everyone and making arrests strictly based on evidence,” Manchak said.