Bengal farmer abducted by Bangladeshis | West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday addressed the alleged abduction of a farmer from Cooch Behar by Bangladeshi nationals, stating that the matter falls under diplomatic jurisdiction and should be resolved through talks between the governments of India and Bangladesh.
Banerjee emphasized that the priority for the state is to ensure the safe return of 50-year-old Ukil Barman, a farmer from the border town of Sitalkuchi, who was reportedly forcibly taken across the border while working in his field on April 16.
“One person was abducted from the bordering area when he was farming on his land. I do not want to talk about this matter publicly. Talks will be held between the two governments. Our job is to bring him back,” Banerjee told reporters at Nabanna, the state secretariat.
Farmer Allegedly Taken in Retaliation After Smuggler’s Death
Officials believe Barman’s abduction may have been a retaliatory move, following the killing of a Bangladeshi smuggler by the Border Security Force (BSF) days earlier. The smuggler, part of a group attempting to cross into Indian territory near Sitalkuchi, was shot dead during the encounter. His body was later handed over to Bangladeshi authorities.
In what appears to be a revenge operation, another group reportedly abducted Barman from his farmland and took him across the border. His family claims that local collaborators helped the abductors, a charge that Banerjee also hinted at in her remarks.
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“We have identified some of those who were behind this. Ghorer shotru Bibhishan (the enemy within). No political party has the right to label anyone as a foreigner or otherwise. If he wasn’t a citizen, how was he farming on Indian land?” she asked.
Diplomatic Channels Activated
Banerjee instructed Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to engage with the concerned departments and initiate necessary communication through diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, former TMC Cooch Behar president Partha Pratim Roy confirmed that senior government officials were actively working on the case.
“We have credible information that Ukil Barman is currently in a jail in Bangladesh. We’re hopeful of his safe return. The family is anxious — it’s been almost a month,” Roy said.
Political Undertones and Border Tensions
Though Banerjee refrained from naming any political party, her remarks appeared to target opposition elements, alleging that the abduction was enabled by local political actors. The situation has added to existing tensions along the India-Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar, where smuggling networks and infiltration attempts are a recurring challenge.
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Banerjee urged the media not to politicize or sensationalize the issue, underscoring that calm and diplomacy are essential to resolving cross-border crises.
“You can solve many problems by keeping calm. Our job is to bring him back, and that’s what we are focused on,” she said.
What We Know So Far
Victim: Ukil Barman, 50, farmer from Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar.
Incident Date: April 16, 2025.
Accused: Group of Bangladeshi nationals, allegedly aided by local elements.
Trigger Event: Killing of a Bangladeshi smuggler by BSF earlier in April.
Current Status: Believed to be in a jail in Bangladesh; diplomatic efforts underway.
The situation has cast a spotlight on border security, citizenship issues, and the importance of bilateral diplomacy in resolving incidents that impact both nations’ local communities.
