Reunion

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Two mentally-challenged Bangladeshi nationals undergoing treatment in India handed over to their families

A wave of happiness swept across the border where the family members received them while people of both the countries witnessed an instance of humanitarian diplomacy.

According to a report, Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala played a pivotal role to repatriate them to Bangladesh.

One of them has been in the hospital in Tripura for 13 years and another for six years, after missing from home.

The report said mentally impaired Shalintara Begum, a resident of Guri village under Akhaura police station in Brahmanbaria district, had gone missing from home 13 years ago.

She could not be traced a long time, and, only, recently, through diplomatic channels her family learned that she had been staying in Modern Psychiatric Hospital at Narsinghar.

Similarly, Samir Majumder, a mentally challenged middle-aged man, left his house in Jhumarkanda area under Bhanga police station in Faridpur district in June 2015.

Even after issuing a search warrant and public notice, he could not be found.

Two weeks ago, his family came to know that he was being treated in the hospital in Tripura.

Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Agartala Mohammad Jobayed Hosen took initiative for their return to their families.

He facilitated all official formalities between the two countries with the help of Tripura government and, finally, they were repatriated and handed over to their families at the check post.

Shalintara Begum was received by her brother, Joynal Abedin, while Samir was received by his younger brother Amir Majumder at the Akhaura check post along with a large number of their family members, officials of BSF and Border Guard of Bangladesh said in the afternoon.

Bangladesh officials said both the Bangladeshi nationals had inadvertently crossed the international border long back.

The people noticed them in destitute state and tried to learn about their identity and home address.

However, the mentally challenged individuals could not tell anything. Understanding their mental condition, the administration sent them to the psychiatric hospital near airport for treatment.

Following the inputs from the hospital authorities, Bangladesh officials in India sent information to Dhaka to look out for their family.

They also identified another 22 Bangladeshi nationals, who have been undergoing treatment at a mental hospital in Agartala, and they are improving fast.

“We are trying to locate their family, too, in Bangladesh and gradually they will also be repatriated,” Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Agartala Mohammad Jobayed Hosen said, adding that on the eve of golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh liberation two precious gifts have been given to the families of Shalintara and Samir.