Bangladesh has sought consular access to its nationals put behind bars in the Northeast Indian state of Assam after being propelled by a man’s plea to release his daughter from a jail in the aforesaid state.
According to Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Guwahati, Kazi Muntashir Murshed, the father of a Bangladeshi woman came to his office last month, seeking help in releasing his daughter, her husband and child, who have been imprisoned in Tezpur Jail.
They had illegally crossed the border and were incarcerated. Though their jail term is over, they remain imprisoned there, he said.
“Upon inquiry, I learnt that some other Bangladeshi nationals are similarly incarcerated in Assam’s prisons,” he added.
The assistant high commissioner further said that he wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs in India, seeking a list of Bangladeshi nationals who are still in jail and awaiting release after completion of their terms and repatriation respectively. They were detained for illegally entering Assam.
“Inasmuch we don’t have a treaty with India for an exchange of prisoners, we can repatriate them once the External Affairs Ministry replies to my letter with details of those incarcerated in the state,” he said.
“Once I get the details, I’ll visit the jails, collect their documents and forward them to Bangladesh for repatriation in compliance with protocol.
“Some NGOs in Assam have informed me that 15 to 16 Bangladeshi nationals are similarly locked up in Assam’s prisons. Our Mission in Delhi as well is in touch with the External Affairs Ministry,” he further added.
Friday, June 05, 2026
