BJP lashed out at senior CPI(M) leader and MP Jitendra Choudhury for ‘abusing’ Border Security Force (BSF) following shooting incident in south Tripura that left three tribals killed. Party vice-president Subal Bhowmik said Mr Choudhury acted like an investigation agency while making ‘false and fabricated’ statements against a disciplined force.
“Image of BSF which is guarding our territory can’t be tarnished for isolated incidents. We also demand proper enquiry and punitive action against responsible security men” he told newsmen at the party office in Agartala on Friday.
Mr Bhowmik stated Mr. Choudhury in his Facebook posting made ‘objectionable’ remarks against the BSF after the shooting incident at Hebratali in Sabroom subdivision on March 17 in which three tribals including a woman were killed and two injured.
While BSF had insisted its personnel resorted to firing in self-defence after being attacked by cattle smugglers, the villagers gave different version. They claimed BSF soldiers resorted to indiscriminate firing after locals were protesting against a rape attempt.
BJP state president Biplab Deb and vice-president Subal Bhowmik handed over cheques each containing Rs. 50,000 to three bereaved families. The injured persons got Rs 15,000 each.
“This is just a token support to the poor families who lost near and dear ones. We are not doing politics out of a tragic incident”, said Biplab Deb who condemned BSF shooting and demanded a thorough probe.
The party placed demand to the state government to pay Rs 5,00,000 compensation each to the victim families. It announced decision to take burden of education of children from Hebratali victim families.
Top brass of BSF visited Hebratali after the MHA ordered high level prone. BSF now shifted from its initial cattle smuggling claim with assurance of measures to avoid such ‘unfortunate’ incident in future.
