3 Bangladeshis lynched on suspicion of cattle theft in India's Tripura

Three Bangladeshi nationals were beaten and shot with arrows to death in India's Tripura state today (16 October) on suspicion of cattle theft.

The deceased were identified as Pandit Mia, 45, Sajal Mia, 20, and Jewel Mia, 32. All are residents of Habiganj's Chunarughat upazila.

Lt Col Tanjinul Rahman, commanding officer of BGB-55, said the incident occurred at Karengichhara in Tripura state, about 4–5 kilometres inside India from the zero point of the border.

"A flag meeting with the India's Border Security Force [BSF] on this matter is currently underway," he added.

The officer further said, "Efforts are ongoing to verify the authenticity of the incident and to gather detailed information. All necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and harmony in the border area and to prevent the recurrence of such unwanted incidents in the future."

The exact time of the incident, however, could not be confirmed.

According to BGB sources, the three Bangladeshis had allegedly crossed into India two to three days ago when local Indian residents attacked them over suspicion of cattle theft.

The attackers allegedly beat and shoot them with arrows, leaving them dead on the spot.

The bodies were later kept at Sampahar Police Station.

Quoting the son of Pandit Mia, BGB officials said the victims had gone to the hilly area to collect betel leaves on Tuesday morning and had been missing since then.

"On Wednesday, we came to know that the bodies of all three were in India," said Zahir Mia, son of Pandit.