Lockdown impact: Family of five stranded in Bangladesh, urges MP for help

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Chandana Barman, middle-aged housewife of Karimganj, along with four other members of her family has been stranded in Bangladesh for the last two months and desperately wants to come back to her native home. She is sorely disappointed by the non-cooperation of the Assistant High Commissioner of India stationed at Sylhet, Krishna Murthy, to bail her out and her family of five members. Arup Roy, senior journalist of the border town, quoting the relatives of Chandana, said the woman in distress along with her daughter Tuli Burman, married daughter Monty Deb, her husband Anup Deb and the two year old granddaughter, Mehek Deb, planned to visit the house of her brother in relation at Fekuganj of Sylhet district for 15 days.

Accordingly, Chandana and all her family members obtained passports and visas for 15 days stay in Bangladesh. On March 9, they crossed Kushiara river and entered Bangladesh through Jakiganj border. They were to take the same passage for return to their homes at Karimganj. But, their ordeal began with the sudden lockdown
 

across the country by Bangladesh government for 10 days on March 26. Indian government on the other hand declared lockdown for 3 weeks from March 24. Movement of all sorts of people between the two countries came to a halt. This added to the anxiety of Burman family. Their visas expired on April 19.

Chandana Barman with the help of her relatives in Bangladesh approached the Indian Assistant High Commissioner' office on line twice for issue of travel permits. They were asked to submit mobile no. and email address. Till date, as Arup Roy said there has been no response. Chandana also moved the High Commissioner's office for arranging their return home under 'Bande Bharat Mission.' Stranded tourists and students have been airlifted to India from Dacca under the mission.

Great resentment prevails among the residents of Karimganj at the non cooperation of the Assistant High Commissioner's Office of Sylhet. Only last week, Purbi Mahaldar of Harinagar under Katigorah revenue circle of Katigorah in Cachar, kidnapped by miscreants, was rescued from Jessore at the initiative of another journalist Sujan Deb. Chandana Burman has now sought the help of Sujan Deb over mobile to move the MP of Karimganj and the district administration to make arrangement for their return under Bande Bharat Mission.

Also Watch: Get Set Global: Assamese in UK coping with the Pandemic