Two youths held for ‘torching’ border outpost, SSB says FIR lodged due to ‘miscommunication’

“We are conducting an inquiry into the incident. We will take a further decision only after receiving the inquiry report,” said SSB Deputy Inspector General (Gorakhpur sector headquarters) Akhileshwar Singh.

The two arrested youths, Suraj Dhobhi (22), a Dalit, and Akhilesh Rohaniya (24), are from nearby villages.

Another accused, identified as Intaz, belongs to Nepal, it is learnt.

Suraj and Akhilesh were produced in a court on Monday and sent to jail, said Thuthibari Station House Officer (SHO) Kanchan Rai.

The police said they received a complaint from the SSB on Sunday that some unidentified people set a border post on fire the previous night and pelted stones at troops. It was claimed that the men fled towards Nepal when chased by the troops.

An FIR under Sections 336 (endangering life or safety), 353 (obstructing public servant), and 504 (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the three persons.

When contacted, SSB inspector Poonam said they filed the complaint as a warning, but it ended up as an FIR. She claimed that the accused were seen lighting a fire and drinking near the outpost, but the fire might have been accidental.

Superintendent of Police Kaustubh said the FIR was registered based on the SSB complaint and the role of the other suspect is being investigated.

The strategically located posts along the Indo-Nepal border are positioned every 200 metres, near the “No-Man’s Land” zone.