BSF jawan Purnam Sahu, who was detained by Pakistan Rangers for 21 days, has been released and returned to India. Purnam, who accidentally crossed the border into Pakistan on April 23, was handed over to Indian authorities at the Attari border on Wednesday morning after a flag meeting between India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Rangers had kept him in custody, causing distress to his family in Rishra, Hooghly, especially his wife Rajani, who is pregnant, and his elderly parents.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a proactive role in the matter, reaching out to Rajani twice over the phone after the news of Purnam’s release. In a conversation with Rajani, Mamata Banerjee expressed relief, mentioning that she had tried to contact her earlier when the news first broke but was unable to connect due to technical issues. The Chief Minister wished Purnam’s family well, saying, “Now, smile a little. My best wishes for my brother-like jawan.”
Following the handover, BSF officials confirmed that Purnam is physically in good health but may be mentally shaken after the ordeal. The release came after significant diplomatic efforts, and Purnam’s family can now finally breathe a sigh of relief as they reunite with him after a long and stressful period of uncertainty.