Md. Kamal Hossain Benapole (Jashore) Correspondent: Shantana Begum (35), mother of 4 children trafficked to India, returns to her relatives after 10 years. On Tuesday evening, the Petrapole Immigration Police of India officially handed her over to the Benapole Immigration Police.
Shantana's home is in Kastipur village of Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district. Her husband, Sekender Ali Muhuri, is a laborer by profession and they have four children. So far, the family members have not found any trace of her.
It is learned that Shantana Begum entered India illegally on the night of February 10, 2015 through a broker. While staying in Nagpur area of Mumbai, she was arrested by Andaman Police on April 21, 2015. After losing her mental balance while in detention, she was treated for a long time at Nagpur Mental Hospital in Mumbai. Later, she was kept in a humanitarian shelter called "Ishwar Sankalp" in West Bengal.
In 2024, through the continuous efforts of Tapan Pradhan, the coordinator of a non-governmental organization in West Bengal, and Shamsul Huda, a Bangladeshi journalist, Shantana's identity was identified and the process of returning her to the country through a travel permit began.
Returning to her homeland after a long 10 years, Shantana was emotional and said, "I went to India with the wrong decision in life, and after a long struggle, I was able to return to my country - this is my biggest relief."
There is an atmosphere of relief and joy in the family after hearing the news of getting her mother back after a long time.
Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge (Sub-Inspector) Manik Kumar Saha said that after completing the necessary formalities, Shantana will be sent to the 'Justice and Care' safe home in Jessore. After that, she will be returned to her family after completing the legal process from there.
