At least 34 residents of Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj are continuing to endure punishment despite realising their prison terms in Indian jails.
These men were held for entering India illegally and were handed down imprisonment of various terms. Though they have completed their sentence, they could not return to the country due to lack of legal help and government initiative.
Meanwhile, the families have been passing days in extreme poverty in the absence of their sole breadwinner.
A recent visit to these families has found a heart-wrenching situation. Wives, mothers and children of these men are deprived of food, shelter and security. While many of them are trying to bring back their men, some do not know whether they are alive or not.
The family members alleged that they were not getting support from the local administration.
According to the relatives, all these men went to India by illegally crossing the border in search for work. Though of some them were successful to start a small business or work as day labourers, they were soon arrested and sentenced to imprisonment.
Rashida Begum, a septuagenarian from Satrashia village, had been counting days for the last two years for the return of her son. In the absence of her only support in the old age, Rashida is having to depend on other people’s mercy to live on.
Mofizul and Nazir Hossain of Chhagharia village were also facing the same situation. In their feeble and desperate voice, they urged the government to bring back their sons.
Rahima Khatun of Satrashia village told the Dhaka Tribune that she had been ousted by her in-laws since her husband went to India. “I have been living with my parents since then. But for how long can I go on like this? My son is growing up. He is always looking for the father.”
Giniara Begum of Parchouka village of Monakosha union is in a different situation. She does not even know whether her son is alive. “He went to get cattle from India two years ago. I do not know whether he is alive or dead.”
Families of 24 men, out of the 34, have already submitted papers to the home ministry but have not received any response.
Durlabhpur Union Parishad Chairman Nazmul Kabir Mukta said he had issued certificates to the families but it would not be possible to bring back the men without legal support.
“We have collected information about the missing men and submitted them to the deputy commissioner. I am afraid we cannot do anything more than that,” he said.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Chapainawabganj Mohammad Jahangir Kabir said: “We have sent the applications to the home ministry. But the process is taking time since various ministries of the two countries are involved in it. We are very sincere about the issue.”
Lawyer of Bangladesh Jatiya Mahila Ainjibi Samity’s Chapainawabganj branch, Yasmin Ara Khushi, said sometimes the applications reach them late. “So by the time we can begin the legal process, a lot of time is wasted.”
“We are also helping to bring back the 24 men who are in the Indian jails now. We need to assess the current status of the cases individually and then we can say how long it will take,” she added.
In the meantime, the government must act to support the families and expedite the process, Yasmin Ara emphasised.