Kolkata, May 11 – The wife of Border Security Force (BSF) constable Purnam Kumar Sahu, who Pakistan Rangers detained after inadvertently crossing the international border, has sought a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In her appeal, Rajni Sahu expressed hope that the intervention of the powerful leader would expedite her husband's release.
Purnam Kumar Sahu, 40, stationed in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab, crossed the international border on April 23 and was apprehended by Pakistan Rangers. Following this, Rajni Sahu reached out to Mamata Banerjee, hoping that the Chief Minister’s involvement would bring quick action to secure her husband's return.
"I have sought a brief meeting with Mamata Banerjee. She is the chief minister and a powerful leader, so her intervention will help in expediting the matter," Rajni Sahu said in an interview with a vernacular news channel.
Despite reaching out to BSF officials after the recent understanding between India and Pakistan to halt all military actions, Rajni Sahu has received no concrete updates. "They assured me, but there is nothing new in their response," she added, showing frustration over the lack of progress.
Rajni remains hopeful that her husband's return could be facilitated through a potential swap. She cited the recent capture of a Pakistani Ranger by Indian forces in Rajasthan on May 3, which could serve as a possible exchange.
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Member of Parliament, Kalyan Banerjee, has been tasked by the state government to follow up on the matter. Banerjee confirmed that he had already spoken with the Director General (DG) of BSF on Saturday evening. "I called up the DG last evening to ensure that the matter is now pursued seriously. The situation is improving, and this is the right time to push for his release," said Banerjee.
The Sahu family resides in Rishra, a town in the Hooghly district of West Bengal.
This ongoing issue highlights the complex nature of international relations and the challenges faced by families when security personnel are caught in cross-border incidents.
