Kolkata: A 25-year-old Bangladeshi youth with mental disabilities, Mohammad Harun Rashid, was rescued in Basirhat, nearly eight months after he went missing from his home. Members of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), traced and contacted the man's family in Bangladesh.
However, Rashid's return home has been delayed due to administrative and legal complications arising from the current strict measures against illegal cross-border infiltration. Concerned about his situation, members of WBRC have approached the authorities, seeking intervention to facilitate his repatriation. After rescuing Rashid, the North 24 Parganas district administration has already initiated the legal process required for his repatriation and reunion with his family.
According to his family, on the morning of Oct 7, 2025, Rashid, a resident of Alipur in Satkhira district of Bangladesh, left home to go to the local Alipur market and never returned. "Following his disappearance, his mother, Halima Khatun, lodged a missing diary at Satkhira Sadar Police Station. However, her son could not be found," said a HAM radio operator.
A few days ago, Rashid was spotted wandering aimlessly near Dhali Market in Peyaratala, Basirhat, in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Asadul Gazi, a local businessman, noticed the youth and contacted ham radio operators for assistance.
"We immediately used our network and traced the man's family in Chapardanga village of Bangladesh, within hours of his photograph being shared. We then contacted the family and informed them about his whereabouts. His mother, and other family members want to take him back home," said Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary, WBRC.
WBRC then contacted the North 24 Parganas district administration. "At the initiative of the sub-divisional officer of Basirhat, cops arranged for Rashid's stay in a shelter home. We have now appealed to the high commissions of both Bangladesh and India to take the necessary legal steps to facilitate his early repatriation. The administration has assured us that appropriate measures will be taken to send him back," Nag Biswas added.
District Magistrate Shilpa Gourisaria said the matter would be given the highest priority. "Appropriate steps will be taken, to verify his identity and trace his family before facilitating his return. In this case, legal issues relating to cross-border infiltration or detentions will not become an obstacle for this repatriation," said the DM.