Allegations of push-in of Indian woman with child as 'Bangladeshi'

There have been allegations that an Indian woman and her child were sent to Bangladesh as Bangladeshi citizens at the Bangladesh-India border. This incident has created new concerns in the border area.

On Friday (July 17) evening, the woman named Reshma Bibi and her child were found in the Benapole border area. She claimed that she is a resident of Pakur district of Jharkhand state, India, and is an Indian citizen.

Reshma said that she used to work as a domestic worker in Mumbai for a living. After being detained by the Indian police there, she was kept with some Bangladeshi citizens. She claimed that she was not accepted even though she claimed to be an Indian citizen.

According to her statement, she was later taken to Kolkata with her child and sent to Bangladesh through the border in the dark of night. She was in trouble as she had no acquaintances in Bangladesh. Later, with the help of locals, she reached Benapole area.

Currently, Reshma wants to return to her husband and family in India. She also said that her other child is studying in a school in Mumbai.

Locals said that if Reshma is really an Indian citizen, then arrangements need to be made to return her to her country through humanitarian and legal processes.

Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain said that the issue can be resolved through a flag meeting between the BGB and BSF.

Binoy Krishna Mallick, executive director of human rights organization Rights Jessore, said that the issue needs to be resolved through the relevant authorities of the two countries, ensuring the safety of the mother and child.