A mentally challenged Bangladeshi youth has returned from India 13 days after he went missing, following coordinated efforts by border guards of the two neighbouring countries.
The return of Bakul Mondal, 35, was facilitated through a flag meeting between members of Border Guard Bangladesh and India’s Border Security Force on Saturday night.
Bakul, son of Lutfor Rahman Mondal of Charuikuri village under Ramkrishnopur union in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia, had been missing since May 3 after he left home, family members said.
Despite extensive searches, his family failed to trace him. Being mentally challenged, Bakul reportedly crossed the border unintentionally and reached Kolkata.
Family members later identified him after photographs and information about an ill Bangladeshi man lying on a street in Kolkata went viral on social media.
After his identity was confirmed, locals on the Indian side helped him attempt to return to Bangladesh illegally. However, members of the BSF detained him from a house near the border and took him to their camp after realising the matter, family members and BGB officials said.
Later, the BSF informed the BGB of the matter.
Around 10:00pm on Saturday, a flag meeting was held near border pillar 157/2(S) in the Charuikuri border area between members of BGB’s Char Chilmari camp and BSF’s Char Bhadra camp.
Following official formalities, the BSF handed Bakul over to the BGB.
Around 11:00am on Sunday, BGB members formally handed him over to his family.
“We had almost lost hope of getting him back. After seeing his photo on Facebook, we recognised him. With the help of BGB and local representatives, we got our son back. We are grateful to everyone,” said Bakul’s father Lutfor Rahman.
Member from ward No. 1 of Ramkrishnopur Union Parishad Abul Kalam Azad said Bakul had crossed the border accidentally due to his mental condition, and close coordination with BGB helped ensure his safe return.
Company Commander of BGB’s Char Chilmari camp, Subedar Mosharraf Hossain, said Bakul was brought back through mutual understanding between the border forces of the two countries.