Guwahati: A dramatic turn of events unfolded today at the Adamtilla tea estate, nestled near the India-Bangladesh border in Patharkandi’s Sribhumi area of Assam, as furious villagers clashed with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, accusing them of shielding a suspected Bangladeshi cattle lifter. The incident has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising serious questions about cross-border security and cooperation between central and state agencies.
The trouble began after three cows were reported stolen last night, July 6, from the home of Shia Shankar Kairi, a resident of the border village. Early this morning, vigilant locals managed to apprehend one of the suspects, who was then subjected to a physical confrontation before authorities were notified.
The situation, however, quickly escalated into a high-voltage drama when personnel from the 134 Battalion of the BSF, based at Mohangul Camp, arrived on the scene. Villagers allege that instead of facilitating the suspect’s handover to local police, the BSF attempted to whisk him away in their vehicle, sparking outrage among the community.
Enraged residents, convinced the BSF was protecting the cross-border intruder, immediately mobilised and blocked the BSF vehicle for nearly two hours. They adamantly demanded that the accused be handed over to the Assam Police, insisting that due legal procedures be followed for the suspected international criminal.
During a search conducted by the locals, the accused’s belongings reportedly revealed a rope, a torch, and crucially, Bangladeshi identification documents, confirming his nationality. He was later identified as Zahir Uddin, reportedly hailing from Barolekha, Bangladesh.
Despite the protracted standoff and heated arguments, BSF officials ultimately took the accused back to their camp, further fuelling the fury of the residents. Protesters vociferously chanted slogans like “BSF is the thief,” expressing their profound discontent and accusing the border guarding force of openly protecting an international trespasser involved in criminal activity.
Local leaders and villagers are now vociferously demanding a thorough inquiry into the BSF’s conduct, appealing to both the state and central governments to immediately address what they perceive as a grave breach of trust and a significant lapse in security protocol along the sensitive border.
Read More: Hasina Faces Charge Decision on July 10, Other Cases Loom