In a harrowing incident, 11 Bangladeshis, including women and children, were abandoned by traffickers in the Sundarbans after being promised safe passage to India for a fee of 45,000 BDT each. The group, which includes five children, five women, and one man, was later rescued by forest department workers, according to a report by Indian news outlet Aajkal.
The individuals had reportedly sought to flee Bangladesh following the ousting of the Awami League government. After former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left power and fled to India, many of her supporters and party members have been attempting to leave the country, fearing for their safety. One such attempt recently resulted in the tragic death of former Chhatra League leader Ishaq Ali Khan Panna, who lost his life while trying to cross the border.
In this latest incident, the group from Khulna had made arrangements with a trafficker to facilitate their escape to India. However, after taking them into the dense Sundarbans forest, the traffickers fled, leaving the group stranded. One of the women in the group revealed that they had paid 45,000 BDT to the traffickers, who had promised to take them safely to India.
The group was eventually discovered by forest department personnel, who handed them over to the police at the Sundarbans Coastal Police Station. The rescued individuals were later produced in Alipore Court. Police are currently holding the sole male member of the group for further questioning.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by those attempting to flee Bangladesh and the dangerous methods employed by human traffickers who prey on vulnerable individuals during times of political turmoil.
