BSF returns four Bangladeshi women detained in India four days back

India's Border Security Force (BSF) handed over four Bangladeshi women to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) through a flag meeting last evening following their detention in Assam state four days ago.

The handover occurred around 5:30pm at Purbo Kedar border point near Sub-Pillar 14-S of Main Pillar 1015, under Kochakata Police Station in Kurigram

Previously, the four women shared a rented house in Dhaka's Badda area. Three of them worked at a beauty parlour, and one at a garment factory.

They had crossed into India, lured by promises of a job by a broker, the victims said.

One of the victims said they were lured by a woman named Jannatul Khatun, whom they knew previously. "Jannatul promised us better jobs, and trusting her words, we prepared to go to India," she said. Without informing anyone, they crossed the Jaflong border in Sylhet on November 22. A private car took them to Guwahati, where police detained them on November 23.

"We crossed into India in the hope of a better life and better work. Jannatul was with us until the Bangladesh border. We have no idea where she is now," she said.

Habildar Shahjahan Ali, commander of BGB's Kedar Company Camp under Kurigram 22 BGB Battalion, confirmed the women were taken into BGB custody through a flag meeting and later handed over to Kochakata Police Station.

Kochakata Police Station officer-in-charge Lutfar Rahman said the guardians of the four women have been informed. "Detailed information about them is being collected. If no criminal involvement is found, they will be handed over to their guardians," he said, adding that "Police are investigating the whereabouts of the broker, Jannatul."