Lured by the promise of a well-paying job, Md. Masum from Feni has been missing in India for 11 months after crossing the border through a human trafficker, leaving his family in extreme anxiety and despair.
Driven by the need to earn a living, 25-year-old Md. Masum—who was raised at his maternal grandparents’ home in Char Huzuri village under Baligaon Union of Feni Sadar Upazila—traveled to Tamil Nadu or Kolkata, India, and has remained missing for the past 11 months. Son of Ruhul Amin from Bapari Bari in Chandkhali village under Laharkandi Union of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila, Masum was known locally as a skilled mechanic. Exploiting his skills, a local broker named Sohel lured him with promises of a lucrative job and took him to India in November 2025. During his first two months in India, Masum sent Tk 30,000 back home. However, his phone has been switched off ever since, cutting off all communication with his family. The family later learned through word of mouth that he was detained by the Hakimpur police while en route from Chennai to Kolkata, leading them to believe he is currently incarcerated in an Indian prison.
Seeking her son’s whereabouts, Masum’s mother, Masuda Begum, lodged a General Diary (GD) with the Feni Model Police Station. Yet, after months without any trace of him, the family continues to live in severe mental anguish. Masum was the sole earner for the family, and burdened by worry over her only brother, his sister has refused to marry. Overcome with grief over the loss of her son, his mother broke down in tears and appealed for the urgent intervention and effective action of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring Masum back home. Masum’s maternal uncle, Saiful Islam, also demanded local government intervention, legal action against the trafficking ring, and a proactive role from authorities to locate Masum across the Indian border.
Addressing the matter, Lieutenant Colonel M.M. Zillur Rahman, Commanding Officer of Feni 4 BGB, stated that upon learning of the incident, the Border Security Force (BSF) of India was formally notified. However, the BSF has not yet provided any clear or positive information to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Taking the family’s complaint and humanitarian concerns into account, the BGB continues to intensify its investigation into the matter.
