SHILLONG: An A’chik forum has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in bringing back a 66-year-old man from Garo Hills who was abducted and taken to Bangladesh.
In a memorandum to Modi, the A’chik Indigenous Justice Initiative Forum said Phalgun Arengh was abducted on May 24 by Bangladeshi miscreants who took him across the border “despite the International Indo-Bangla border being manned by the Border Security Force”.
However, Arengh managed to escape on June 2 from the jungles of Harikona in Bangladesh, according to an FIR in the neighbouring country.
“He was caught by villagers of Christainpara, PS Sribordi, and was handed over to Bangladesh Police in a poor physical condition. Presently, he is the custody of Bangladesh Police,” the forum said.
“It is being brought to your knowledge that an innocent Indian citizen victimised by Bangladeshi criminals has been facing immense hardships and pain for the last 3 months. It becomes an imperative responsibility of the Indian government to intervene in the matter and bring him back to India through diplomatic channels by conveying the matter to the Bangladeshi counterpart as early as possible,” it added.
The forum also raised concern over security along the border and criminals crossing over despite BSF guarding. “It is imperative on the part of the Government of India to take cognizance of the matter and take necessary initiatives in plugging these loopholes and keeping the morale of the Indian citizens along the international border on a higher note,” the forum said.
