Rising above diplomatic sensitivities between India and Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday demonstrated its humanitarian commitment by enabling a Bangladeshi woman to see her deceased Indian father one last time at the border in Nadia district’s Chapra area.
The incident unfolded at the Hatkhola border, where the body of 101-year-old Israfil Halsona was brought to the zero-point to fulfil the final wish of his daughter, Ummehara Bibi, who is married and settled in Bangladesh’s Chuadanga district. Despite international boundaries separating them, the BSF ensured that the daughter could bid a dignified farewell to her father.
Israfil Halsona, a resident of Hatkhola village under Chapra police station, passed away recently due to age-related causes. The news of his death reached Ummehara at her matrimonial home in Kutubpur village. She conveyed her desire to see her father for the last time.
Following her request, the family informed the Hatkhola Gram Panchayat, which immediately took up the matter with the 101st Battalion of the BSF.
“Recognising the emotional and humanitarian sensitivity of the situation, we promptly initiated coordination with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and convened a flag meeting at the zero-point along the border. After mutual consent and coordination between the two border forces, arrangements were made for the deceased’s body to be brought to the Hatkhola border. There, Ummehara was allowed to cross up to the zero point, where she saw her father for the final time and even took part in his last rites,” said a BSF official.
The family of the deceased said that the BGB extended full cooperation throughout the process, ensuring that the cross-border humanitarian exercise was conducted smoothly and with dignity.
Atihar Halsona, deputy head of the Hatkhola Gram Panchayat, praised the role of the BSF, saying, “Israfil was over a hundred years old and passed away recently. One of his daughters is married in Bangladesh and wished to see her father one last time. The family informed our Panchayat, and we contacted the BSF. The BSF and BGB held a flag meeting and facilitated the entire process. The BSF was extremely cooperative, and we are truly grateful.”
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