'Mamata assured of effort for my husband's release': Wife of BSF jawan detailed by Pak

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to the wife of BSF constable Purnam Kumar Sahu on Sunday evening and assured her of every effort to secure the jawan’s release from Pakistan. Sahu, aged 40, was detained by Pakistan Rangers after he reportedly crossed the international border in Punjab’s Ferozepur sector on April 23.

Rajani, the jawan’s wife and a resident of Rishra in Hooghly district, said she had expressed her wish to meet the Chief Minister to request help in expediting her husband’s release. Banerjee responded by calling her and offering support. “The Chief Minister also enquired about my health and assured me of medical assistance for my elderly in-laws if required. She also assured me of every effort to secure my husband’s release,” said Rajani.

Rajani also mentioned that she had been in contact with BSF officials following the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, which involves halting all military actions on land, sea, and air. However, she stated that there were no new updates yet regarding her husband's status.

She said she remained hopeful that a possible swap might help bring her husband back. This hope stems from the fact that a Pakistani Ranger was apprehended by Indian forces in Rajasthan on May 3, following the jawan’s detention.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who has been assigned by the state government to monitor the matter, said he spoke to the director general of the BSF on Saturday evening. He confirmed that steps were being taken to follow up on the release of BSF constable Sahu.