An emotional scene unfolded at the Sharsha frontier on Wednesday when a Bangladeshi woman was given a final chance to see her father’s body at the zero line, as border guards of Bangladesh and India showed rare compassion.
Mitu Mondal, 38, who has been living in Benapole after marriage, broke into tears upon seeing the remains of her father, Indian citizen Jobbar Mondal, 75. Jobbar had passed away the previous day at his residence in Bashghata village under Bagda in West Bengal.
With no travel documents, Mitu and her relatives could not cross into India. Instead, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) arranged a special meeting at the zero line near the main pillar 25/6-S in Dhannakhola to allow the grieving family a last glimpse.
Lt Col Saifullah Siddiqui, commanding officer of BGB-49 Battalion, confirmed the arrangement, noting that the coordination was done after requests from both families.
Eyewitnesses said Mitu and her relatives wept inconsolably, and the scene even moved BGB and BSF members to tears. After the brief farewell, the body was taken back to India for burial, while the Bangladeshi relatives returned home.
Mitu’s husband, Bablu Mondal of Porabari village in Benapole, expressed gratitude, “We had no passports or visas. After hearing about my father-in-law’s death, we felt helpless. But BGB made it possible for my wife to see him one last time. We are deeply thankful.”
Both BGB and BSF officials from nearby camps were present during the handover process.
