Latest news with #UkilBarman
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Won't ever till my land across Bangla border, says freed farmer
Jalpaiguri: Released from Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat prison after 29 days, Ukil Barman, a resident of Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi, on Thursday vowed never to cultivate his four-bigha land off the Indo-Bangla barbed wire fence. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Barman, in his mid-50s, was kidnapped by Bangladeshi miscreants on April 16 while tilling his own land. He was intercepted by Border Guard Bangladesh. After days of negotiations and multiple flag meetings between BSF and BGB, Barman was allowed to return to India on Wednesday night. "I will no longer farm across the border. I will sell all my land. I won't allow my son to farm near the border either. The thought of being imprisoned in Bangladesh is scary. I want to thank BSF and our chief minister," he said. Barman was taken to a local court to testify to his return, a legal formality to formally close the missing diary lodged by his wife. His son Paritosh said: "We will no longer work on our land across the border. We have four bighas of land there, which is our livelihood. We request the Indian govt to acquire our land and compensate us. We don't want to work on Indian land across the border, where we constantly live in fear." Trinamool's Cooch Behar MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia lauded the efforts by Centre and Bengal govt to bring back Barman from Bangladeshi custody. He said BSF and Bengal govt worked in tandem to ensure his return. Junior Union minister and Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar thanked PM Narendra Modi and the Union home and external affairs ministries for bringing back Barman, a Rajbanshi farmer.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Our job is to bring him back from Bangladesh': CM Mamata Banerjee amid farmer's abduction row
KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday refrained from commenting on the alleged abduction of a farmer from Cooch Behar by a group of Bangladesh i nationals, stating that the matter was diplomatic in nature and should be addressed through discussions between the governments of India and Bangladesh. Asserting that the "primary job is to bring him back," Banerjee directed chief secretary Manoj Pant to talk to the department concerned. "One person was abducted from the bordering area when he was farming on his land. I do not want to talk about this matter. Talks will be held between the two governments. It would be better if you (the media) did not create a controversy. Our job is to bring him back," Banerjee said. The family of Ukil Barman, a 50-year-old agriculturist from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district, stated that Bangladeshi nationals kidnapped him on April 16. Officials reported that the alleged kidnapping occurred shortly after BSF personnel fatally shot a Bangladeshi smuggler who attempted to enter Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district with his associates. Subsequently, the smuggler's remains were transferred to Bangladesh authorities. In response to this incident, a separate group allegedly captured Ukil Barman whilst he was tending to his agricultural land and forcibly transported him across the international boundary. Banerjee, without specifying any political organisation, claimed that local activists deliberately facilitated the farmer's transfer to the Bangladeshis, adding that several perpetrators have been recognised. "We have identified some of those who were behind this. Ghorer shotru Bibhishan (a disguised enemy in one's own house). No political party has the right to label anyone, either as a citizen or a foreigner. If he was not a citizen, then how was he farming the land? He was picked up from his land," she said. "You can solve many problems by keeping calm. Our job is to bring him back," she said. Former president of TMC Cooch Behar district Partha Pratim Roy said senior government officials were trying their level best to bring Barman back. "It's been almost a month since Barman was abducted. Family members are worried. We have information that he is in a jail in Bangladesh. Senior officials of the government are looking into the matter. We are hoping for the best," Roy said.
Deccan Herald
14-05-2025
- Deccan Herald
Our job is to bring him back from Bangladesh, says Mamata amid farmer's abduction row
The family of Ukil Barman, a 50-year-old farmer from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district, alleged that he was abducted by Bangladeshi nationals on April 16.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Our job is to bring him back from Bangladesh, says Mamata amid farmer's abduction row
Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday declined to comment on the alleged abduction of a farmer from Cooch Behar by a group Bangladeshis and said the issue was diplomatic and should be discussed between the government of the two countries. Asserting that the "primary job is to bring him back," Banerjee directed Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to talk to the department concerned. "One person was abducted from the bordering area when he was farming on his land. I do not want to talk about this matter. Talks will be held between the two governments. It would be better if you did not create a controversy. Our job is to bring him back," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat. The family of Ukil Barman, a 50-year-old farmer from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district, alleged that he was abducted by Bangladeshi nationals on April 16. According to officials, the alleged abduction took place days after a Bangladeshi smuggler was killed by the BSF when he along with members of his group tried to enter Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district. The body of the smuggler was later handed over to Bangladeshi authorities. Following this, another group reportedly intercepted Ukil Barman while he was working in his field and forcibly took him across the border. Banerjee, without naming any political party, alleged that the farmer was "handed over" to the Bangladeshis by local activists, and claimed that some of those involved have been identified. "We have identified some of those who were behind this. Ghorer shotru Bibhishan . No political party has the right to label anyone, either as a citizen or a foreigner. If he was not a citizen, then how was he farming the land? He was picked up from his land," she said. "You can solve many problems by keeping calm. Our job is to bring him back," she said. Talking to PTI, former president of TMC Cooch Behar district Partha Pratim Roy said senior government officials were trying their level best to bring Barman back. "It's been almost a month since Barman was abducted. Family members are worried. We have information that he is in a jail in Bangladesh. Senior officials of the government are looking into the matter. We are hoping for the best," Roy said.
