Birbhum village awaits return of deported migrant labourer, family from B’desh
The Statesman | 28 September 2025Pregnant Sunali Bibi, along with her husband and children, was deported to Bangladesh through the Assam border from New Delhi, where the family had been living and working as migrant labourers for decades.
On 26 April, they were arrested by Delhi Police from the Rohini area. Samirul Islam, Rajya Sabha MP from Birbhum and chairperson of the State Migrant Labourers’ Welfare Board, subsequently filed a case in the Calcutta High Court seeking their repatriation to India.
“We were really upset but could do very little as we are all poor people. Since April we have been living anxiously and knew nothing about them. At last we heard that all six members—including her husband and four children—had been deported to Bangladesh. Yesterday we were told that they will soon return. Despite being Indian citizens and having valid papers, they were pushed back,” said Roshni Biwi, Sunali’s sister.
The entire Paikar village is now eagerly awaiting the family’s return. Sunali Bibi’s mother has already said that the family will, from now on, remain in Birbhum district and will not return to New Delhi for work.
“We will truly celebrate when they come back to Paikar village,” said Lufta Bibi.
