Bengal tea farmer abducted near border, taken to Bangladesh to seek intruder's release

A 35-year-old tea farmer from West Bengal's Jalpaiguri was allegedly abducted and taken into Bangladesh after the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a Bangladeshi national attempting to enter India, according to his family.

Dipankar Gope was working in his tea garden in Tasar Para village, close to the international border, when a group of around 20 men allegedly took him away. The area falls within 150 yards of the border fence near the BSF's Chaulhati outpost.

The men reportedly took Gope across the border into Bangladesh's Panchagarh district, where he was allegedly handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Family alleges abduction was retaliation

The incident is believed to have followed the arrest of a Bangladeshi man by the BSF two days earlier. According to reports, the man was caught while allegedly trying to enter India after cutting through the barbed-wire fence near the Chaulhati border.

The suspect, who was reportedly linked to a cross-border smuggling network, was subsequently handed over to the police.

Gope's family has alleged that his abduction was carried out in retaliation for the arrest and that his release is being linked to the detained Bangladeshi national.

A video has also surfaced in which Gope can reportedly be heard saying that he would be released if India freed Tamiz Uddin, the Bangladeshi national arrested by the BSF. BGB personnel are seen alongside villagers in the video.

However, the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.

BSF holds flag meeting with BGB

Following the incident, the BSF moved to secure Gope's release and held a flag meeting with the BGB on Saturday evening.

Gope had not been released by Saturday night and was reportedly still in BGB custody. Sources said the BSF remained in contact with its Bangladeshi counterpart and urged the BGB to facilitate the farmer's immediate and safe return to India.

The alleged abduction has caused concern in villages along the border, where residents fear for the safety of people working close to the fence.

The incident comes as the BSF continues efforts to check smuggling and illegal crossings along the India-Bangladesh border.