The BSF has handed her over to West Bengal police, who will produce her before the Juvenile Justice Board.
Police have contacted her relatives who live in Jalpaiguri. The relatives said the girl’s family in Bangladesh are followers of ISKCON, and had received threats.
“She took the desperate step to save her life. They (her family) are residents of Panchagarh district of Bangladesh. The family are followers of ISKCON. Recently, the family received threats from fundamentalists. Miscreants also threatened to kidnap her and kill the family. Her parents then decided to send her to India. They called and informed me that she is coming to India, but did not tell me when and how,” her relative told reporters.
Joby Thomas K, superintendent of Islampur police district, said: “We got a complaint from BSF regarding a girl who is 17 years old having entered India illegally from Bangladesh through the border. We have lodged an FIR and due process is being followed. Details of what made her take the step and enter India will be revealed during investigation.”
According to police and BSF sources, the girl bypassed Bangladesh Border Guards and crossed the border on foot to the Indian side. The BSF spotted her at Fatehpur Border outpost in Chopra block of Uttar Dinajpur district, and handed her over to Chopra police station.
Later, police called in the relative of the girl, who resides in Jalpaiguri district.
The relative said: “With the help of some locals, she came to the border and somehow bypassed Bangladesh Border Guards. Her father, who works as a medical representative, is ill. I got a call from Chopra police station last night and came here. I told police whatever I know and the reason for her taking this step.”
There have been widespread protests in Bengal and other parts of India against alleged atrocities faced by minorities in Bangladesh, and the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka on November 25.
Das, who has organised multiple rallies in Bangladesh to condemn the alleged atrocities, was charged with treason.
India has expressed grave concern over the situation in the neighbouring country.