Efforts stepped up to repatriate Bangladeshi girl rescued in A.P.

The 14-year-old Bangladeshi national was rescued from the Vijayawada railway station about 20 months ago.

Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Department officials, who busted an international sex racket and rescued a minor from Bangladesh, are trying to reunite the victim with her family.

The 14-year-old Bangladeshi national, Sona (name changed), was rescued from the Vijayawada railway station about 20 months ago and was provided shelter at an NGO home.

Illegal stay

“We made several attempts to send the girl back to Bangladesh but could not do so and the victim was staying illegally in India. The incident reflects the poor relationship between the countries and the activities of international gangs in India,” said an officer.

Sona, a native of Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh, was lured by her cousin and neighbour, Jasmine, who on the pretext of offering a lucrative job in Andhra Pradesh, brought her to Vijayawada in 2014. The girl gave Jasmine the slip while she was making a deal to sell her to a stranger, and approached officials.

The incident created sensation in the State then. The girl even observed a fast protesting the delay in sending her back home.

Staff of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) produced the girl before the Child Welfare Committee, which referred her to a shelter home. Though the WD&CW officials wrote to the Bangladesh Embassy for her repatriation, there was no proper response.

Parents identified

Officials then identified the parents of the girl and contacted the Kolkata CWC and local missionary organisations, which are making arrangements for the reunion of Sona with her family. The ICPS staff represented the matter to the Krishna district administration and the Vijayawada police seeking cooperation for shifting of the girl with escort. The matter is under the pursuance of top officials, WD&CW Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari told The Hindu on Sunday.

“The girl is under safe custody and is in good health condition. We have sent the file to the District Collector and the Police Commissioner for repatriation of Sona, and our staff members are waiting for their response,” Ms. Krishna Kumari said. “Sona is eagerly waiting to return home in Bangladesh. We spoke to her mother. The issue would be resolved shortly,” District Child Protection Officer Ch. Vijay Kumar said.