BSF jawan inadvertently crossed the border; family hopeful after CM's intervention
Kolkata, May 12 — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured full support to the family of Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Sahu, who Pakistan Rangers currently detain after allegedly crossing the international border inadvertently.Speaking to reporters, Sahu's wife Rajani revealed that Banerjee personally called her on Sunday evening to offer assistance and reassure her of efforts to secure her husband's release. The call followed Rajani's plea to meet the chief minister and seek her intervention.
"She enquired about my health and even offered medical help for my elderly in-laws. Most importantly, she assured me that all efforts are being made to bring my husband back," said Rajani, a resident of Rishra in Hooghly district.
The 40-year-old BSF constable, stationed in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab, reportedly crossed into Pakistan on April 23 and was subsequently apprehended by Pakistan Rangers.
Rajani mentioned that she had also spoken to BSF officials following the recent agreement between India and Pakistan to halt all hostilities across land, air, and sea. However, she has not received any updates regarding her husband's status.
Expressing cautious optimism, Rajani said she hopes for a possible swap involving her husband and a Pakistani Ranger who was captured by Indian forces in Rajasthan on May 3.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee, tasked by the state government to follow up on the case, stated that he had already spoken to the BSF Director General on Saturday regarding Sahu’s release.
The family now awaits further developments, hopeful that diplomatic and official channels will expedite the safe return of the detained jawan.
