The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to the deaths of three Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the deceased Bangladeshi nationals were smugglers who had attempted to steal cattle.
In response to media queries regarding the incident in Tripura involving Bangladesh nationals, official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that we have noted that an incident in Tripura leading to the death of three Bangladesh smugglers took place on October 15 about 3 kms inside Indian territory.
Group of three miscreants crossed the international border
Jaiswal said a group of three miscreants from Bangladesh crossed the international border and attempted to steal cattle from Bidyabil village in Indian territory. They attacked and injured local villagers with iron dahs and knives, and killed one villager, even as other villagers arrived and resisted the attackers.
According to MEA spokesperson, authorities rushed to the spot, where two smugglers were found dead; a third succumbed to his injuries in hospital the following day. The bodies of all three have been handed over to the Bangladesh side. Police have also registered a case.
Jaiswal said this incident underscores the need for Bangladesh to undertake necessary measures to uphold the sanctity of the International Boundary and support the construction of fencing where needed to prevent cross-border crimes and smuggling.
Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs' response
Bangladesh has strongly protested the deaths of three Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura.
In a press release on social media, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Government of Bangladesh strongly condemns and condemns the brutal beating and murder of three Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura on October 15."
"This heinous crime cannot be accepted. It is a violation of human rights and the rule of law."
Both the Border Security Force (BSF) and local police, led by the Superintendent of Police Ranaditya Da, have visited the spot and conducted a preliminary probe.