Anju returns to Bangladesh after 15 years

After an absence spanning nearly a decade and a half, a Bangladeshi woman identified as Anju is finally set to return to her homeland and reunite with her family. Originally a resident of Bhomradaha Union in the Pirganj Upazila of Thakurgaon district, Anju had gone missing approximately 15 years ago due to mental illness, which ultimately led to her crossing over into neighbouring India.

The long ordeal began to unravel in 2017 when she was finally traced to the Pablov Hospital located in Kolkata. Following her discovery at the medical facility, she was subsequently transferred to the care and custody of 'Ishwar Sankalpa', a humanitarian aid organisation and shelter home operating in Kolkata, where she has been residing.

Her eventual repatriation has been coordinated through the concerted efforts of multiple entities and government bodies across both nations. These organisations include the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Women and Child Development Department of the Government of West Bengal, the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

Key individuals and civic groups also played instrumental roles in facilitating the homecoming process. Among them are Mosammat Josna Begum and Md. Shamsul Huda, alongside several organisations namely Ishwar Sankalpa, the Amateur Radio Society of Bangladesh, and the Rotary Club of Banani Dhaka.

The official handover procedure is scheduled to take place on September 16, 2026, at the Benapole international border situated in Jashore. This momentous event marks the end of a 15-year chapter of separation for the 35-year-old woman and her awaiting family in Bangladesh.