Agartala: Tension erupted in the bordering Kaiyadhepa village under Tripura’s Sepahijala district after rumours of a Bangladeshi woman’s rape at the residence of an Indian tout spread on Friday night.
The BSF immediately launched an operation and detained seven Bangladeshi nationals, including minor children. Their custody was later handed over to the local police.
The woman, however, later denied that she was raped, OC of Madhupur Police Station, Ujjwal Chowdhury, said.
“Initially, we were informed that a Bangladeshi woman who had entered India unlawfully was raped at a private residence where they had been staying temporarily. But after their detention, the woman did not make any complaint. In fact, she denied that any such incident had occurred,” Chowdhury said.
As many as seven Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman and two minors, were apprehended on Saturday night in Kaiyadhepa village.
According to preliminary police information, the group had allegedly entered Indian territory from Bangladesh with the help of local touts. Sources said the Bangladeshi nationals had reportedly taken shelter at the residence of Rabindra Debbarma in Noabari village a few days before their detention.
The Bangladeshi nationals have been identified as Robiul Kazi (25) from Khulna district, Abdul Jhummadar (35) from Pirojpur district, Abdul Mannan (50) and Arafat Malik (21), both from Khulna district, and a 23-year-old woman from Khulna district. Two minors were also among those apprehended, police said.
Police further stated that the group allegedly crossed the border with the assistance of a local tout identified as Ratna Das, a resident of North Kaiyadhepa.
An investigation has been initiated into the alleged involvement of local persons in facilitating the illegal entry.
In a serious allegation, the woman detainee initially claimed that she was sexually assaulted at the residence of Das. However, before the police could proceed with the necessary medical tests and other procedures, the woman changed her statement.