Agartala: Tripura Police have arrested eight more people in connection with the assault on BSF personnel in Ashabari, taking the total number of arrests to 18. One suspect remains at large, officials said.The arrests came after CM Manik Saha held a high-level meeting with senior state officials and security force representatives to review the law-and-order situation and the Ashabari incident.Saha directed the authorities to adopt a firm approach against cross-border smuggling and take strict action against those involved in the attack.Chief secretary JK Sinha, DGP-in-charge G S Rao, home secretary Abhishek Singh, BSF IG Princee Rani and representatives of the CRPF and Assam Rifles attended the meeting.Senior officials briefed the chief minister on the incident, the progress of the investigation and the action taken by the state police. Saha said attacks on security personnel performing their official duties were “intolerable” and would not be permitted.He directed the departments concerned to ensure that all those involved were brought to justice and faced stringent legal action. He also stressed the need for strict measures to curb cross-border smuggling and maintain law and order in the state.The incident took place on Nov 3, when four BSF personnel were injured after allegedly being attacked by suspected smugglers and local villagers while on duty in the Ashabari area of Sepahijala district.Police said the investigation was continuing and efforts were under way to apprehend the remaining suspect.
